A "by the hour" car rental business in Syracuse, a "pod car" study for inner-city transportation in Ithaca, an examination of empty truck trips with an eye toward greater load utilization in New York City, and an assessment of moving freight via the Erie Canal are all recipients of recently announced state grants in the transportation field.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the State Transportation Department are providing $1.7 million to fund a dozen projects statewide, part of an analysis and evaluation effort that aims to reduce New York's vehicle miles traveled and help alleviate greenhouse gas emissions.
A study to be conducted by SUNY Buffalo will survey recently developed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency models for Smart Growth land-use principles, including mixed-use, compact building designs, multiple transportation methods, and preservation of open space and community identity, according to NYSERDA.
The full list of projects appears in a NYSERDA news release at:
http://www.nyserda.org/Press_Releases/2009/PressRelease20091303.asp
A related story from the Post Standard, Syracuse, is on:
http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2009/03/syracuse_carsharing_company_ge.html
