Transportation and Broadband Resources
Please also visit the resource areas at the websites of organizations listed on this page for additional resources on broadband and transportation.
Broadband
In the News
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- Smart City Strategies Critical For Broadband Access
- Although state legislatures are backing up city-sponsored wireless networks for broadband Internet access, pressure against these initiatives by the big telecommunications companies is expected to continue.
- Boston unveils WiFi push
- Mayor Thomas M. Menino this morning said Boston will mount an effort to bring wireless Internet access to the entire city.
- High-speed Net Access Still Elusive
- Maine considers solutions for connecting rural areas with broadband.
- …With connectivity and access for all
- A few Midcoast companies are filling the air with wireless Internet, or WI-FI, in ventures designed to lower the coast's cost of broadband and offer a new service to visitors to the islands.
- Let There Be Wi-Fi
- Broadband is the electricity of the 21st century—and much of America is being left in the dark.
- Wireless Internet in rural areas is 'incredible'
- The Cloud Alliance, a group of Internet service providers and power companies, is working to spread wireless broadband to rural areas of Vermont.
- Brunswick eyes a first - downtown WiFi
- Brunswick could become the first community in Maine to offer wireless Internet access to much of its downtown district.
- Rural living, high-speed Internet access?
- With phone and cable companies reluctant to bear the costs of bringing high-speed access to rural communities, Governor Balducci of Maine announced the initiative, Connect Maine, pledging to bring access to all of Maine by 2020.
- Leahy announces final funding for NEK broadband service
- Senator Patrick Leahy announced a $500,000 federal appropriation to construct a fiber optic “ring” more than 375 miles long that will become a backbone for broadband internet access throughout the Northeast Kingdom.
- R.I. wireless project heralds cooperation
- Editorial on the Rhode Island Wireless Innovation Networks (RI-WINs) project, which seeks to create a statewide border-to-border broadband wireless network
- IBM joins R.I.'s wireless project
- IBM will take over as project manager of a collaborative effort to establish a statewide, high-speed wireless network for Rhode Island.
- Wi-Fi technology brings broadband to islands
- A New York company, Ubiquitair Inc., has brought wireless high-speed Internet access to Chebeague Island.
- City Sponsored "Wi-Fi" – Saved From The Telecoms?
- As cities like Philadelphia introduce their own high speed wireless services, telecoms lobby state legislatures to introduce bills forbidding municipal Wi-Fi's as unfair competition.
Reports
- Draft Report of the MAINE BROADBAND ACCESS INFRASTRUCTURE BOARD November 2005
- In his 2005 State of the State address, Governor John E. Baldacci announced his "Connect Maine" initiative that set the goal that 90% of Maine communities have broadband access by 2010. This report provides the results of the work of the Broadband Access Infrastructure Board and discusses the primary recommendations for achieving universal broadband service.
- Digital Cities Survey 2005
- The Digital Cities Survey examines and assesses how city governments are utilizing information technology to operate and deliver quality service to their customers and citizens.
- Fighting the Good Fight for Municipal Wireless: Applying lessons from Philadelphia's WiFi story 2005
- This book follows the Philadelphia wireless story from its inception to the announcement of Earthlink winning the RFP bid to build out the citywide WiFi network. It presents a roadmap to help cities and counties use municipal broadband wireless and mobile workforce applications to improve government efficiency, responsiveness and fiscal strength.
- Municipal broadband nationwide June 2005
- An interactive map of the United States allows you to rollover each state for information on that state's government-sponsored projects to provide fiber-optic or wireless networks, as well as efforts to legislate the issue in state capitals.
- Tracking and Leveraging the Hidden Tech Population to Promote Economic Development and Build Social Capital 2003
- This report examines the advantages for a region of promoting development of entrepreneur networks that drill down to the virtual company level, specifically in the area of western Massachussetts. The organization Hidden TEC has proved during its short lifespan that it's possible for a region to leverage the network's members for economic development purposes and to promote "social capital."
Organizations
- Berkman Center for Internet & Society
- The Berkman Center is a research program founded to explore cyberspace, share in its study, and help pioneer its development. It represents a network of faculty, students, fellows, entrepreneurs, lawyers, and virtual architects working to identify and engage with the challenges and opportunities of cyberspace.ghout the county, and sustained competition.
- Berkshire Connect, Inc.
- Berkshire Connect, Inc. was incorporated in February 2000 after three years of working as a community to bring better telecommunications services and pricing into the region. Using the aggregated buying power of over 50 large and small businesses, Berkshire Connect was able to ensure competitively priced services, equal pricing throughout the county, and sustained competition.
- Business Innovation Factory
- In 2004, the Business Innovation Factory launched Rhode Island Wireless Innovation Networks (RIWINs). The goal of RIWINs is to create a statewide, border-to-border, wireless broadband network.
- Center for Digital Government
- The Center for Digital Government is a national research and advisory institute on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government.
- Cloud Alliance
- Cloud Alliance works with its partners to provide high-speed wireless internet access and other services to rural areas in Vermont & New Hampshire where phone and cable companies won’t go.
- Global Crossing
- Global Crossing provides telecommunication solutions to the top commercial centers around the world, including the new fiber network for western Massachusetts.
- Markem Industries
- MARKEM Corporation, located in Keene, NH, provides stand alone digital coding systems to completely networked solutions, backed by over 90 years of knowledge and experience.
- Vermont Broadband Council
- The mission of the Vermont Broadband Council is to promote the use and availability of broadband services throughout the state. Our approach is to do this through demonstration projects that are designed to give individuals and businesses first hand experience with the benefits of high-speed, always-on Internet services.
- Wireless Philadelphia
- Wireless Philadelphia is an initiative of the City of
Philadelphia to provide wireless Internet access throughout the City. Its
goal is to to strengthen the City's economy and transform Philadelphia's neighborhoods
by making broadband access more available and affordable for citizens, businesses,
schools and community organizations.
Transportation
In the News
Note: Free registration is required at some newspaper sites in order to view articles.
- Bus and train service thrive in Maine
- Four and 1/2 years after the Downeaster Amtrak train began service, demand for both the train and Concord Trailways buses is surging.
- The New England Council’s Analysis of the President’s FY 2007 Budget
- A targeted analysis of the President’s proposed a $2.7 trillion FY 2007 budget examines programs of importance to the New England region, including Amtrak funding.
- Big Dig Report shows travel improvements
- The drive through the center of Boston is almost seven times faster than it was before the $14.6 billion Big Dig, according to the summary of a study funded by the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority.
- State to Expand Commuter Rail
- Two new commuter rail stations proposed by Rhode Island officials could connect Boston to communities south of Providence as early as 2008.
- Harris Poll Says Americans Favor More Freight, Passengers Moving by Rail
- Harris Poll says Americans favor more freight, passengers moving by rail.
- Rail at a Crossroads
- The MTA continues to expand the rail system even as ridership declined between 2003 and 2005.
- Connecticut Should Grow A Spine
- Commentary on how Connecticut (and New England) might benefit from establishing their own version of the Arc, a spine of transportation, energy and recreation structures envisioned by urban planner Douglas Suisman as the basis for future stability in Palestine.
- Hopes, worries ride the rails
- The Providence and Worcester Railroad may soon be running more trains through the Blackstone Valley to ferry coal to an upstate New York power plant, a positive economic sign for the freight line that has also sparked concerns about public safety.
- Beyond Pork Barrel: An Ingenious New Way to Rebuild America
- A newly formed Commission on Public Infrastructure has an ingenious idea for a federally funded National Investment Corporation (NIC) through which states and local governments could obtain financing for a broad array of potential projects, like in ground and air transportation.
- Great Lakes Pacts Would Boost Jobs
- Regional leaders recently signed two agreements that would restore and protect the Great Lakes Basin’s ecology and economy.
- Can Amtrak Survive Three More Bush Years?
- The United States needs strong regional passenger rail systems, yet Bush recommended zero-budgeting for Amtrak.
- UVM will receive $16 million to host transportation center
- The University of Vermont will receive $16 million in federal funds to establish a national center for research and development on rural transportation issues.
- Big Things in Littleton
- Details the Project for Public Places role in partnering with the NHDOT on a remarkable initiative to have ordinary citizens shape its strategic plan.
Reports
- The Arc: A Formal Structure for a Palestinian State 2005
- The RAND Corporation developed comprehensive recommendations for enhancing the success of an independent Palestinian state, including a design for addressing the infrastructure needs of a growing Palestinian population. The report recommends a corridor, called the Arc, that would support high-speed interurban rail, a toll road, an aqueduct, an energy network, and telecommunications lines linking Palestine’s major cities and towns.
- Bradley International Airport Improvements: An Economic Impact Analysis February 15, 2001
- The Connecticut Center for Economic Analysis (CCEA) was commissioned by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development and the Connecticut Department of Transportation to develop an analysis of the likely economic consequences of the proposed improvements at Bradley and the economic development they are encouraging.
- City Routes, City Rights: Building Livable Neighborhoods and Environmental Justice by Fixing Transportation June 1998
- City Routes, City Rights is a guidebook for urban -- especially inner-city -- residents who are sick and tired of coping with an epidemic of asthma attacks, with out-of-control traffic, with unsafe streets that claim the lives of young children, with filthy clouds of pollution that surround bus depots and garages sited smack in the middle of neighborhoods, and with layers of government transportation officials who often seem indifferent to the needs and desires of the city's most disempowered residents.
- Connecticut Strategic Economic Framework1999
- One of the key recommendations of this report was that Connecticut work to link port, road, rail and air facilities in order to not only alleviate highway congestion, but to bolster the state's future economic prosperity. (Scroll down to 8th report listed on page for PDF of original report.)
- Economic Impacts of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority and the Central Artery/Third Harbor Tunnel ProjectFebruary 2005
- Reports on the Economic Impacts of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority and the Central Artery/Third Harbor Tunnel Project
- East-West Highway Will Connect Mainers to All Points In-Between & Beyond June 24, 2004
- The Maine East-West Highway is a system of projects that address the lack of east-to-west highway connectivity, an initiative Sen. Snowe advocates as absolutely critical to the state’s short and long-term economic prosperity. Sen. Snowe calls for all of the New England states to join together on a region-wide effort.
- The Economic Impact of Connecticut’s Deepwater Ports May 23, 2001
- The Connecticut Coastline Port Authority requested the Connecticut Center for Economic Analysis (CCEA) to conduct a detailed study of the economic impact of Connecticut’s deepwater seaports on its economy. Using REMI, the State dynamic economic model, and a static model, IMPLAN, CCEA estimated the total (direct, indirect and induced) impact on the State economy.
- A Framework for Thinking - A Plan for Action (DRAFT) March 10, 2005
- This draft plan represent's Massachusett's Governor Romney’s twenty-year vision for transportation in Massachusetts. The plan serves as the foundation for transportation policy and spending decisions for the “post-Big Dig” future. Highlights of the plan include a bold new commitment to mass transit, an aggressive action plan for addressing the upcoming “baby boom” of bridges in need or repair, and a responsible balance of spending across all other modes of transportation.
- Gridlock Relief: Freight Rail's Role in Reducing Gridlock 2005
- An annual study by transportation expert Wendell Cox shows that by shifting freight from road to rail, we not only can decrease commute time and costs, but also improve our environment by reducing fuel consumption and air pollution.
- The Impact of the Regional Transit Strategy on the Capitol Region of Connecticut January 25, 2001
- The Capitol Region Council of Governments commissioned the Connecticut Center for Economic Analysis to assess the economic impact of certain transportation improvements on the Capitol Region of Connecticut.
- Intermodal: On The Fast Track 2002
- With a doubling of freight demand expected in the next 20 years, the Brown-Hatch study concludes that intermodal's cost advantages and societal benefits make it the most effective means for handling the growth.
- Linking Connecticut's Future with the Emerging Global Trade Grid July 2000
- Preliminary data from this report confirmed the Maritime’s importance to Connecticut’s economic future, including the ability to alleviate traffic along I-95.
- NASTO Freight Service and Investment Study January 25, 2001
- Recognizing the link between efficient freight transportation and economic vitality, the Northeast Association of State Transportation Officials (NASTO), in cooperation with the New England Governors/Eastern Canada Premiers Trade and Globalization Committee, initiated this study to investigate the freight transportation and economic characteristics of the NASTO region.
- New Hampshire Transportation Business Plan
- The New Hampshire Transportation Business Plan (TBP) is a 25-year vision that will serve to advance transportation, economic development, land use and environmental goals throughout the State.
- Northeast Rail Operations Study (NEROps) 2004
- The goal of the Northeast Rail Operations Study (NEROps) study is for the I-95 Corridor Coalition to work work with its members and other interested organizations to undertake an assessment of rail issues and needs in New York State, New England, and Atlantic Canada. The study will lead to a more comprehensive understanding of freight and passenger rail trends, issues, and constraints in the Coalition region.
- Reinventing Megalopolis: The Northeast MegaRegion 2005
- Despite its exceptional economic assets, the Northeast is being threatened by inadequate and congested infrastructure, fragmented governance, land-consuming sprawl, and growing social and economic disparity. This report outlines seven strategies that can be employed as tools to improve the future livability of the Northeast MegaRegion.
- Spotlight on Regional Rail May 2005
- Provides an interview with Former Governor Michael Dukakis, a long-time supporter of passenger rail service, and highlights New Hampshire's efforts in exploring expanded use of rail.
- State Freight Railroad Data 2005
- Provides state-by-state statistics of the U.S. freight railroad industry.
- State Transportation Data 2005
- The Surface Transportation Policy Project (STPP) analyzes federal transportation data and how it affects our quality of life. Statistics compiled by STTP can be found on a state-by-state basis on the following: attitudes toward walking; pedestrian safety; congestion; federal transportation spending; and household transportation expenditures.
- Surface Transportation Policy Project Reports
- The Surface Transportation Policy Project is a diverse, nationwide coalition working to ensure safer communities and smarter transportation choices. Go to their site to find a variety reports on transportation safety, transportation options for older Americans, health affects of sprawl, the impact the lack of transportation costs has on family budgets, and much more.
- Transportation: A Strategic Investment January 2003
- The Connecticut Transportation Strategy Board's proposed transportation strategy to guide the State for the next 20 years along with: a set of actions and tactics to achieve those strategies during the next 10 years, the projected capital and operating investments to implement those actions and tactics; and a set of recommended revenue sources to fund those investments
Organizations
- Amtrak
- Amtrak is putting into action an aggressive five-year investment plan to improve the reliability and comfort of our trains, our facilities and the tracks we own. Investments like these take time and money. In time, Amtrak passengers will see a difference - whether it's in the comfort of a refurbished car or a smoother ride that gets you to your destination on time.
- Atlantic Northeast Rails and Ports
- Atlantic Northeast Rails and Ports is a newsletter and e-bulletin that covers the operating freight railroads and ports in the region, as well as their government environment. The news and information service is dedicated to the preservation and extension of the regional rail network.
- Association of American Railroads
- The AAR is committed to keeping the railroads of North America safe, fast, efficient, clean, and technologically advanced. AAR members include the major freight railroads in the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as Amtrak.
- Bradley International Airport
- Bradley International Airport is located in north of Hartford in Windsor Locks, and is operated by the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation.
- Connecticut Transportation Strategy Board
- The fifteen member Connecticut Transportation Strategy Board (TSB) was established to develop and implement a transportation strategy for the State of Connecticut.
- Connecticut's Capital Region Council of Governments
- The Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) is the largest of Connecticut’s fifteen regional planning organizations. It is established under the Connecticut General Statutes as a voluntary association of municipal governments serving the City of Hartford and 28 surrounding suburban and rural communities.
- Conservation Law Foundation
- Since 1966, CLF’s tenacious advocacy staff has worked to solve the most significant environmental problems that threaten New England. CLF’s advocates use law, economics and science to create innovative strategies to conserve natural resources, protect public health and promote vital communities in our region. Promoting public transit is a critical component of CLF’s smart growth program.
- Departments of Transportation
- Links to state transportation agencies:
- I-95 Corridor Coalition
- The I-95 Corridor Coalition is an alliance of transportation agencies, toll authorities, and related organizations, including law enforcement, from the State of Maine to the State of Florida, with affiliate members in Canada. The Coalition provides a forum for key decision and policy makers to address transportation management and operations issues of common interest.
- Metro-North (Metropolitan Transportation Authority)
- MTA Metro-North Railroad is the second largest commuter railroad in the United States. A subsidiary of New York State's Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Metro-North was founded in 1983 when the MTA assumed control of Conrail commuter operations in the states of New York and Connecticut.
- National Corridors Initiative, Inc.
- The National Corridors Initiative exists to support the development of infrastructure, including an integrated national transportation system that emphasizes rational transportation decisions, such as a network of intercity passenger and freight corridor rail corridors augmented by commuter rail, and served by feeder systems.
- Northeast Association of State Transportation Officials (NASTO)
- The Northeast Association of State Transportation Officials (NASTO) brings together representatives from the state transportation departments of the Northeastern United States and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. NASTO serves as a focal point for discussion and research on transportation issues of interest to its members, with an emphasis on promoting cooperation and partnership among its members.
- Pioneer Valley Commission
- Since 1962, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission has been the designated regional planning body for the Pioneer Valley region, which encompasses 43 cities and towns in the Hampden and Hampshire county areas.
- Regional Plan Association
- Regional Plan Association (RPA) is an independent, not-for-profit regional planning organization that improves the quality of life and the economic competitiveness of the 31-county New York-New Jersey-Connecticut region through research, planning, and advocacy.
- SouthCoast on Track
- SouthCoast on Track is an an alliance of public and private sector community leaders committed to the restoration of commuter rail service between Boston and the South Coast.
- Surface Transportation Policy Project
- The Surface Transportation Policy Project is a diverse, nationwide coalition working to ensure safer communities and smarter transportation choices that enhance the economy, improve public health, promote social equity, and protect the environment.
- Tomorrow's Railroads
- The goal of Tomorrow's Railroads is to illustrate the positive impact that freight railroads have on the economy, society and the environment.
- TrainRiders/Northeast
- TRAINRIDERS / NORTHEAST was formed in 1989 as a non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to bringing modern and efficient passenger rail service to Northern New England.
- Transportation Investment Coalition
- The Business Council of Fairfield County has joined with a coalition of municipal officials, businesses, environmental organizations, labor unions and citizen-advocates to call on state leaders to provide new, stable and dedicated funding sources or mechanisms that are adequate and reasonable to create a critically needed multi-modal transportation system in Connecticut.