DECEMBER 2023 THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AMERICA - EAST 12 | City of Cincinati way of getting around, and this is affordable, but also very important to their life. With those on the train, they ride it by choice because it is fast, spacious enough for them to do work while riding and convenient, but it is also expensive,” explains Falkin. So, the trick is to get “train-like” performance from the bus in such a way that choice riders will want to use it as enthusiastically as those who really depend on it. To accomplish that, the bus will operate as an express or rapid transport, stopping only at major stops as opposed to every bus stop to allow for faster commuting. Secondly, passengers won’t have to pay fare as they get on the bus, but rather pay at the platform to better facilitate faster boarding. Passengers will also benefit from processes that allow for signal prioritization or what is known as “CueJumping.” Basically, this means that the bus will communicate with traffic lights to get a faster green light for go signal and also have opportunities to bypass traffic congestion by accessing specialized lanes. “If you’re riding the bus, you’ll be able to get where you need to go faster than driving your own car,” says Falkin. At present, 20 percent of Cincinnati residents do not have access to cars. Falkin says the new system will provide greater conCity of Cincinati | 13 venience to public transit passengers, but is another important step in the city’s drive for increased sustainability. Through its focus on sustainability, Cincinnati has also fostered the growth of professional partnership and environmental initiatives that ultimately benefit economic development vital to the region. Among these initiatives, what Falkin calls “an important partnership,” is Agenda 360. Facilitated by the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, Agenda 360 strives to develop a set of priorities for the region to successfully compete for business, attract employees and generate economic growth. Falkin says the initiative embraces the idea that being a sustainable city or a green city is vital to that effort. The city has also supported another program known today as “Green Umbrella,” an effort that has led to a network of more than 200 member groups all working together to focus, and foster, sustainability practices. There are many other initiatives underway, or in the works, but suffice it to say that Cincinnati is implementing changes to allow for greater efficiency tomorrow. For a community famed for certain shades of Bengalorange and Cincinnati Red, the future holds greater hues of green.
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