Quimper Peninsula Transportation Study

The Quimper Peninsula Transportation Study is now posted on the Jefferson County Public Works website.

The Port Hadlock "Crossroads"

A few years back Jefferson County hired Transpo Group of Kirkland to build a travel demand model for the Quimper Peninsula. We shared the data with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to contribute to the SR 19/20 Corridor Plan and we initiated our own study that covered a larger area and focused on the Irondale & Port Hadlock Urban Growth Area (UGA). We have now completed the contract with Transpo Group and the final products are up on the web.

The Quimper Transportation Study, Study Appendices and the 2008 Travel Demand Model Documentation can be found here: http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/publicworks/trans_planning.asp.

An anticipated next step is to scope a “UGA Roadmap” project that will use the Quimper Transportation Study as a foundation for further transportation planning. Refer to initial goals, deliverables and outcomes below (after "the jump").

Solar Highways? Out-of-the-box idea explored...

Talk about an out-of-the-box idea: Solar Roadways.

Watch this video to hear the description directly from some folks working on the concept.


"How Stuff Works" provides some information on the concept of solar highways.

The State of Oregon has tried out a similar concept, utilizing space in the public right-of-way for solar panels.

What do you think?



Embedded video below...

How about a peddle-powered monorail?

Perhaps a peddle-powered monorail is not a fit for Jefferson County, at least at this point in time...

Check out the Shweeb from New Zealand.

It's creator calls it "the most efficient vehicle on Earth."

At the very least, it's an interesting invention that could find a transporation application somewhere.

Transportation Secretary on biking, walking, and "what Americans want"

In an April 5 interview with the New York Times, Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood talks about the recently updated United States Department of Transportation Policy Statement on Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodation. Secretary LaHood continues to characterize the policy update as a "sea change." He also states that the support for bicycle and pedestrian investments is "what Americans want."

April 14 Note: "Transportation's Bicycle Policy Hits Potholes"
The Seattle Times / Associated Press reports some backlash from "some conservatives and industries dependent on trucking" concerning the recent announcements of Secretary LaHood.

What does your crystal ball show?

What do you see in the future? What happens after peak oil? What will fuel our transport modes? Will water transport once again play a significant role for our local ports?


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Background info on the "peak oil" theory:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peak_oil
• http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/
• http://www.peakoil.com/
• http://www.peakoil.net/
• http://www.oildecline.com/
• http://www.theoildrum.com/
• http://www.hubbertpeak.com/
• Blog discussions about peak oil
• Peak oil theory debunked