The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) have partnered to provide funding to 11 businesses, non-profits and research institutions to promote energy-saving technologies designed to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions in New York State.           

NYSDOT has funded $695,000 and NYSERDA has funded $484,000 toward these transportation-related initiatives, which leverage an additional $700,000 in recipient cost-sharing. The goal of the program is to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in all facets of transportation in the state. 

This is the seventh joint research and development solicitation between NYSERDA and NYSDOT. To date, more than 70 innovative, cost-shared projects have been selected for funding at locations throughout the state. 

“NYSERDA is pleased to once again join with the state Department of Transportation to help fund these innovative projects that can help reduce the energy footprint of the transportation sector," said Francis J. Murray Jr., President and CEO, NYSERDA. “As Governor Cuomo seeks to reduce our fossil fuel consumption in all facets of energy use, these projects have the potential to limit the environmental impact of cars, trucks, trains, buses and boats in New York State.” 

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald said, “These research projects will help develop programs and technologies that support economic development and job growth, enhance mobility and traffic safety, and protect air quality and our environment now and for the future.  We look forward to a continuing partnership with NYSERDA and innovators across the state as we all work to improve traffic management and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

Organizations and universities receiving funding are working on projects that:

• Reduce the number of single-occupancy vehicles on the road and promote the use of mass or alternative forms of transit.
• Improve fuel efficiency by coordinating traffic signals in response to real-time traffic conditions.
• Promote upstate bicycle use and car- or bike-sharing as a viable means of alternative transportation.
• Evaluate innovative freight delivery strategies and vehicles for congested urban areas.

Transportation consumes three-fourths of all petroleum used in New York State and is responsible for 40 percent of the greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere. 

Projects:

Western New York

• Buffalo Carshare: To demonstrate, evaluate and quantify the economics and environmental benefits of battery electric vehicles in an hourly car-sharing application. Funding: $250,000  http://www.buffalocarshare.org/

• Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus: To develop a program to use smart card technology to provide easy access to multiple alternative transportation options, including bus, rail, car-sharing, bike-sharing, secure bicycle storage facilities, and reserved parking for carpoolers and alternative fuel vehicles.  Funding: $162,600  http://gobnmc.org/

• GObike Buffalo: The City of Buffalo has made a serious commitment toward a vision of becoming a bicycle-friendly city and has partnered with GObike Buffalo to develop a new bicycle master plan that will reduce automobile traffic and improve quality of life. Funding: $75,000  http://gobikebuffalo.org/

Rochester 

• Genesee Transportation Council:  To study the feasibility of a bike-sharing program to serve the City of Rochester and the Rochester Transportation Management Area, which includes all of Monroe County and the populated areas of Livingston, Ontario and Wayne counties. Funding: $75,000 http://www.gtcmpo.org/

• Energetics Incorporated: To study the applicability and quantify the benefits of installing idle reduction technology on NYSDOT Region 4’s diesel-based fleet, with the ultimate goal of expanding statewide. Funding: $75,000  http://www.energetics.com/

Utica 

• New West Technologies LLC: To demonstrate, evaluate and quantify the economic and environmental benefits of a battery-electric propulsion system in a New York State Canal Corporation work boat. The vessel is based in Utica and will be used to maintain the canal’s operations. Funding: $234,000  http://www.nwttech.com/ 

Capital Region 

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: To develop a decision-support system integrated with local traffic expert knowledge to facilitate informed decisions about whether “smart” lights that adapt to traffic conditions to control flow should be deployed for a specific corridor. To ease traffic at an intersection, “smart” lights would stay green longer for the road with the most cars. Funding: $75,000 http://rpi.edu/

• Lighting Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: To conduct a series of three advanced transportation lighting seminars for engineers from state, county and municipal public highway departments, and engineering and design professionals who work with lighting systems on New York State roadways. Funding $20,000 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/

New York City

• New York City Department of Transportation: “Off-hour” truck delivery (10 p.m. to 6 a.m.) has the potential to significantly reduce fuel use and related congestion and have positive impacts on air quality, sustainability and livability of a city. This project will help reduce noise associated with making nighttime truck deliveries and provide assistance to help purchase and evaluate noise-reducing equipment to be used in off-hour deliveries. It will also pay for education and outreach programs such as web sites and webinars. Funding $112,500 http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot

• WXY Architecture + Urban Design: To study the feasibility of creating freight-based “Green Loading Zones” in NYC to encourage the use of electric vehicles and idle-free delivery technology. Funding $75,000 http://www.wxystudio.com/

• The University Transportation Research Center at the City University of New York: Delivery trucks in dense urban environments can create problems that include traffic congestion, illegal parking, incessant idling and greenhouse gases.  This project will support an outreach and educational opportunity to demonstrate to delivery companies the use and benefits of small-sized, alternative delivery vehicles such as bicycles, tricycles and electric vans in NYC. Funding: $25,000  http://wwwutrc2.org

NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation, offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise and funding to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.  NYSERDA professionals work to protect our environment and create clean-energy jobs. NYSERDA has been developing partnerships to advance innovative energy solutions in New York since 1975.

The New York State Department of Transportation’s mission is to ensure that those who live, work and travel in New York State have a safe, efficient, balanced and environmentally sound transportation system.  NYSDOT was created in 1967 to oversee the state’s complex transportation system, which today includes state and local highway s encompassing more than 113,000 highway miles and more than 17,400 bridges, a 3,500-mile rail network,  485 public and private aviation facilities, more than 130 public transit operators and 12 major public and private ports.