Complete The Streets

The streets of our cities and towns are an important part of the livability of our communities. They ought to be for everyone, whether young or old, motorist or bicyclist, walker or wheelchair user, bus rider or shopkeeper. But too many of our streets are designed only for speeding cars, or worse, creeping traffic jams.

Now, in communities across the country, a movement is growing to complete the streets. States, cities and towns are asking their planners and engineers to build road networks that are safer, more livable, and welcoming to everyone.

Instituting a complete streets policy ensures that transportation planners and engineers consistently design and operate the entire roadway with all users in mind - including bicyclists, public transportation vehicles and riders, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.

Here's July 22, 2009 Blog Post from Complete The Streets website:

By Stefanie Seskin, on July 22nd, 2009
Complete streets news comes in daily now, so we’re going to start a new feature in our blog to keep everyone - including us! - up to speed.

Hennepin County, MN: The Hennepin County Board unanimously approved a full complete streets policy on July 14. The policy integrates complete streets principles and practices into transportation and development projects across the county, recognizing need for flexibility in application. The policy is on page 188 of July 14’s County Board Packet.

Los Angeles, CA: The Green LA Transportation Working Group made a presentation on how to gain traction for complete streets in the city. (Green LA)

Lee’s Summit, MO: City Council is one step closer to adopting Lee’s Summit 360 Strategic Plan, the new long-term guide for growth and sustainability that includes a vision of complete streets citywide. The final plan will be presented on August 6, when Council will vote on adopting it. (Lee’s Summit Journal)

Buffalo, NY: Main Street in Downtown Buffalo, with a median, bike lanes, and new street trees, is the first complete street project under the City’s year-old complete streets policy. (Buffalo Rising)

Oswego, NY: Kathleen Harris, 92, spent three years walking hundreds of miles of sidewalks, documenting their poor condition. An unstoppable force for quality pedestrian accomodations! (CBS News)

North Carolina: Conservation Council of North Carolina’s recent newsletter discusses the DOT’s new Complete Streets Policy - “a big move for environmentally-friendly alternative transportation” (Jackson County Citizens Action Group)

Why You Insulate

A picture before anything was done.
Spring day, sunny, but the air and soil aren't over 75. Inside temperature with the doors open - 115 at 6' high.

















During insulation process. Walls got about R20, with reflective barrior as well. Ceiling is at about R30, with reflective barrier. Soffit vents, peak vents (pre-existing).





















And after - much darker stain. Windows to let sunlight in for a greenhouse effect. Temperature today, 90, sunny. Open door. Temperature in 94 at 6' high.




To repeat - before, 75 and sunny with doors open - 115 at 6' high. After, 90 and sunny, doors open - 94 at 6' high.

This is why you insulate.


Insulation also prevents the depletion of our natural resources. Today's fiber glass insulation contains more than 25% recycled glass and uses renewable resources such as sand. In fact, according to the Glass Packaging Institute, Fiber glass insulation is the largest secondary market for recycled glass containers.

http://www.naima.org/icf/
http://www.naima.org/pages/benefits/environ/environ.html
http://www.naima.org/pages/benefits/environ/recycled.html - why isn't slag used more?

Reflective insulation in fl construction
http://fifoil.com/pdf/Insulation_Study_%2001.07.pdf - more about reflective barriers