Transportation

Mason named a Bicycle Friendly University

Lauren Reuscher — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 16:52:38 +0000

Mason named a Bicycle Friendly University Lauren Reuscher Thu, 11/02/2023 - 12:52

��AV has been recognized as a Bicycle Friendly University by the League of American Bicyclists for promoting safe, accessible bicycling on campus.

The League of American Bicyclists is a grassroots advocacy organization encouraging better bicycling and protecting the rights of people who bike.

Mason’s Fairfax Campus received the silver-level Bicycle Friendly University award for the second time, and Mason Square received the bronze-level award for the second time. The Fairfax Campus was recognized with a bronze-level award in 2011 and 2015.

��AV has been named a Bicycle Friendly University by the League of American Bicyclists. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

“Being recognized as a Bicycle Friendly University, going back to 2011, is a sign of Mason’s support of bicycling as a great commuting option,” said Josh Cantor, director of Parking and Transportation at Mason. “Support for bicycling is an important component of the overall transportation program, which aims to provide many options for the large and diverse Mason community.”

Mason encourages bicycling as a transportation option and provides amenities such as the Patriot Bike Checkout program and a Capital Bikeshare discount for students. A Capital Bikeshare station is located at Mason Square. Employees are eligible for incentives such as the Biking Commuter Choice program.

All Mason Shuttles and public buses that serve the campuses are outfitted with bike racks. Getting around campus on a bike is safer and easier with the availability of bike lanes and bike fix-it stations. Those interested in biking to campus, but need help finding a route, can contact bike volunteers for advice.

Bicycling programs also have a positive environmental impact. “An array of transit options, including cycling, is an important part of the university’s commitment to sustainability,” said Janet Walker, Mason’s transportation programs manager. “Mason strives to reduce carbon emissions by reducing the number of faculty, staff, and students who drive or drive alone to our campuses.”

The Bicycle Friendly University program includes 220 colleges and universities in 46 states and the District of Columbia. “It is inspiring to see so many universities committing to the vision of a Bicycle Friendly America,” said Bill Nesper, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists.

“These institutions, including Mason, are leading by example and helping to set the standard for better bicycling. Each Bicycle Friendly University acts as a trailblazer to develop and promote safer, more accessible transportation infrastructure and supportive programming for new bicyclists in their communities,” Nesper said.

Bicycle Friendly University^SM is a service mark of the League of American Bicyclists.

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Off the Clock: Kenneth Strazzeri, a duathlete who bikes to work

Lauren Reuscher — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 15:04:51 +0000

Off the Clock: Kenneth Strazzeri, a duathlete who bikes to work Lauren Reuscher Wed, 06/14/2023 - 11:04

In This Story

Kenneth Strazzeri

Life is much more than time spent on the clock. In this series, we highlight the unique hobbies and volunteer activities of Mason's talented faculty and staff.

Kenneth Strazzeri rides his bike on the Fairfax Campus on Bike to Mason Day. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

As term associate professor of statistics, course coordinator for STAT 250 (the quantitative reasoning course in the Mason Core), and academic advisor, Kenneth Strazzeri stays busy teaching about 300 students each semester. He teaches courses both in-person and online and has worked at ��AV since January 2012.

Beyond his passion for teaching, Strazzeri discovered two new interests in recent years: running and biking. He has competed in duathlons (run-bike-runs) and even won two.

This hobby is now his major mode of transportation, as well: commuting to Mason by bike has offered Strazzeri motivation and an opportunity to improve as an athlete.

How did you first get started with running and biking?

I began biking regularly during the pandemic as a way to socialize and interact with friends safely outdoors. In addition, the City of Fairfax ran a pandemic promotion at many local businesses, and I purchased my first pair of running shoes for 50% off through a gift card. I decided to start running as well.

After about nine months of training, I competed in my first duathlon. A sprint duathlon includes a 5K run, a 20–25K bike ride, and another 5K run. I have competed in six duathlons since fall 2021, as well as several road running races.

How did you decide to bike to work? Do you take advantage of any of Mason's biking resources/programs?

Once my children graduated from Mason's Child Development Center, I decided to cancel my parking pass and ride my bike to work (since I did not need to drop off my child). I was now in far better physical shape and felt like it was a great way to get outside every day and save gas and the money I paid for parking. Once I discovered Mason's Bicycle Commuter Choice program where I would get paid to ride to work, I was hooked.

How far is your commute? What do you do on bad weather days?

I am lucky that my commute is just under two miles, and on a good day, I can get to my office faster than I could driving (six minutes is my record). Bad weather days can be accommodated with the parking passes you earn from the Bike Commuter Choice program. I have enough warm wear to handle the cold for my short ride; however, there were very few days with temperatures below freezing this past winter.

Strazzeri wins first place at a sprint duathlon in Richmond, Virginia, in May 2023. Photo by California Triathlon

What has been the most meaningful or memorable experience you’ve had in this hobby?

Personally, I am accomplishing things that I thought I might not be able to do. It has kept me young, physically fit, and healthy.

With my family, I am far more able to keep up with my kids. We can take bike rides together or I can run next to them when they ride.

Lastly, I have met some wonderful people in the biking and running community, including our amazing bike transportation staff at Mason. Find me on Strava (an exercise tracking app) or even better, let's meet up for a ride. I would love to meet and ride with other Mason community members.

What lessons have you learned through this experience?

If I can do it, anyone can do it. It cannot be a fad, but a lifestyle change. For those who think you do not have the time, an evening ride around the Mason loop is quite enjoyable and very well lit. A sunrise run around Burke Lake is also a lovely experience. Whether you like running, riding, or any other physical exercise, do it for yourself, but also for your family and loved ones.

Any safety tips for cyclists and drivers out there?

Bike riders, wear bright colored clothes, and be safe while riding with cars around. Mason's loop does have bike lanes, but I do wish all drivers would stay out of them. Also, drivers, please use turn signals.

Learn more about biking resources at ��AV, including the Bicycle Commuter Choice program, bicycle/scooter registration, Patriot Bicycle Checkout Program, and more. Check out this video featuring members of the Mason community who bike to campus.

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Schar School Forum Examines Transportation, Infrastructure, and Public-Private Partnerships

Andrew J Schappert — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 15:42:02 +0000

Schar School Forum Examines Transportation, Infrastructure, and Public-Private Partnerships Andrew J Schappert Thu, 04/07/2022 - 11:42

Jonathan Gifford: ‘This forum is a great opportunity to meet regional and national leaders from government, industry, and the broader community…’

Innovations and challenges in delivering crucial infrastructure to the public will be examined by industry leaders during the 7^th annual Public-Private Partnership Policy Spring Forum, held Tuesday, April 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The forum takes place at ��AV’s Arlington, Va., campus. Free, lunch provided, but registration required: https://bit.ly/P3Forum2022

“This forum is a great opportunity to meet regional and national leaders from government, industry, and the broader community to debate how to select, pay for, and provide transportation assets and services,” said Jonathan Gifford, director of the Schar School of Policy and Government’s Center for Transportation Public-Private Partnership Policy. “We have a lineup of speakers representing a broad range of perspectives—as well as a few more surprise speakers in the pipeline.”

The keynote address will be delivered by Anna Bonet, the new CEO of P3 company Elizabeth River Crossings OpCo LLC, which operates the Elizabeth River Tunnels project in Hampton Roads. The project is one of Virginia’s flagship infrastructure projects of the last decade. Global toll-road management company Abertis recently purchased the P3 company, its first foray into the U.S. market.

Panelists at the forum will describe recent successes in major P3 projects, including the long-term, 75,000-streetlight contract in Washington, D.C., the new federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and a hard look at recent innovations in the public-private partnership (P3) approach to delivering such projects. (See schedule below.)

The sponsor of the event is George Mason’s Center for Transportation Public-Private Partnership Policy, in cooperation with Young Professionals in Infrastructure.

Information and registration for the event are available at p3policy.gmu.edu. The event will be held at George Mason’s Arlington campus at 3351 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22201. Parking is available in the building, and the Virginia Square Metro stop is one block away. For questions, write p3policy@gmu.edu. 10 am. To 3 p.m.

Forum Agenda

9:30 am: Doors Open (in-person registration may be available)

10:00 am: Introductory remarks provided by Center Director, Jonathan Gifford

10:10 am: Panel 1: DC Streetlight Project
Prakash Ganash, Director, KPMG, Moderator
Jonathan Willingham, Chief of Staff to D.C. Councilmember Mary Cheh (Ward 3)
Kathryn Roos, Deputy Chief Operations Officer, District Department of Transportation
Sia Kusha, Senior Vice President, Group Head Business Development & Partnering, Plenary Americas
Ryan Pedraza, Counsel, Hunton Andrews Kurth

11:15 am: Panel 2: Regressive P3s? Progress & Prospects for the Progressive Model
D.J. Gribbin, Founder, Madrus LLC
Henry Patel, Vice-President, Kiewit Development Company
Colin Peppard, Director, Infrastructure Investments, Fengate
Moderator to be announced

12:30 pm: Lunch Keynote
Keynote address to be provided by Anna Bonet. The catered lunch will offer several boxed options for your comfort and convenience, in light of the university's pandemic restrictions still in place.

1:45 pm: Panel 3: The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), a conversation facilitated by Young Professionals in Infrastructure (YPI)
Steve Dewitt, Senior Vice President for Business Development, ACS Infrastructure Development
Sallye Perrin, Senior Vice President, WSP
Geoff Segal, Senior Vice President for Government Relations, Macquarie Group Moderator to be announced

Topics

Public-Private Partnership Policy

Transportation

Forum

Schar School News April 2022

Study: Construction of New Highway Improvements, Bridge to Bring $12.6 Billion to Region

Andrew J Schappert — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 15:42:43 +0000

Study: Construction of New Highway Improvements, Bridge to Bring $12.6 Billion to Region Andrew J Schappert Mon, 04/04/2022 - 11:42

The Center for Regional Analysis (CRA) at ��AV finds that building a new American Legion Bridge and expanding the Washington, D.C., region’s network of managed toll lanes into Maryland will generate $12.6 billion in construction related economic activity and support 43,400 job-years of employment. A job-year is one job lasting for one year.

The proposed project will construct a new American Legion Bridge across the Potomac River and add 37 miles of highway improvements from the north side of the bridge as part of the I-495/ I-270 corridor to Frederick, Maryland. This project will connect Maryland with the expanding managed toll lane network in Northern Virginia.

Phase North of the project, along I-270 from I-370 to I-70, is part of an ongoing, federally-required environmental study which considers an array of highway improvements to address roadway congestion.

Terry Clower: ‘The jobs supported by this project will boost regional labor income by more than $3.3 billion.’

“Building this important regional mobility asset will cost about $6 billion. The economic impacts of that spending will be mostly realized in the Maryland suburbs, but will be felt across our region,” said Terry Clower, director of the CRA. “The jobs supported by this project will boost regional labor income by more than $3.3 billion.”

Accelerate Maryland Partners (AM Partners) is the private entity in a new Public-Private-Partnership (P3) with the state of Maryland to finance and build the project without local or state tax dollars. Transurban, whose North American headquarters is located in Tysons and currently operates 53 miles of managed toll lane facilities, known as Express Lanes, in Northern Virginia, is leading the AM Partners team.

The study is the result of a partnership between Transurban and CRA, which is housed in the Schar School of Policy and Government, and other Mason researchers examining a wide range of economic and social issues related to the development and operation of managed toll lane solutions for urban mobility challenges

Managed toll lanes, a fast-growing approach to traffic management that has been successfully implemented in major cities around the world, allows drivers the choice of paying a dynamically-priced toll to use restricted access lanes. Using a free-market approach, the value of the toll varies to encourage or discourage the number of users so that traffic-flows on the managed lanes remain relatively unencumbered. The proposed managed toll lanes would allow transit and high-occupancy vehicles (three or more passengers) to use the managed lanes at no cost.

The new roads and bridge are crucial to promoting regional economic competitiveness, Clower added. “State and local leaders recognize that mobility is a key determinant of economic success,” he said. “This will generate economic contributions to the region for decades to come.”

About CRA

For over 30 years, the Center for Regional Analysis at ��AV has provided local and state government, business, and non-profit leaders with data, analysis, and insights to support critical decision making in support of regional economic and community development. Learn more about CRA projects and activities at www.cra.gmu.edu

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