Seminar 8: Stressors, Uncertainty, Future Needs

Date: March 28, 2013
Names: Corey, Devon, Katlyn, Heber, Marco, Alyssa, Branton, Daniel, Kurt, Neilly
Readings: Forman, Richard T.T, Lauren E. Alexander. "Roads and Their Major Ecological Effects" Annual Reviews, 1998.
Forman, Richard T.T, Daniel Sperling. "The Future of Roads: No Driving, No Emissions, Nature Reconnected" Solutions, 2011.
Summary of Readings: 
The Future of Roads: No Driving, No Emissions, Nature Reconnected

Image 1: Proposed Netway System

This article focuses on the issues that roads cause such as roadkill, destroyed habitats, noise, erosion, ditchwater and groundwater, and dispersed land use. It proposes the installation of a new system, The Netway System. It is similar to a subway system, however it is an individual 'pod' that automatically moves. It is situated underground and does not require any driving by the person inside. This transportation mechanism is able to use renewable energy. This article states that this system will improve overall safety by eliminating traffic accidents, eliminates greenhouse gas emissions, and saves good agricultural land that usually is covered by highway roads. 

Image 2: Proposed Netway System

Roads and Their Major Ecological Effects
This article discusses a new vision for travelling. They focus on some key benefits that a new mode of transportation offers such as: restoring nature, eliminating greenhouse gas emissions, safety, food production, and recreational benefits. They discuss how roads that were built before any ecological awareness was present, are poorly designed and have negative effects on the environment and are located in unfortunate locations ecologically. 
Minutes of Seminar Discussion: What are some flaws of this system?
-is it more expensive?
-worse accidents could occur
-will they replace ALL the cars....what if you wanted to go somewhere really specific?
-energy-won't there be many emissions just to build the subway?
Do you think the problems cause by roads will get so severe that a drastic change such as Netway system will need to be implemented?
Is there a more realistic and practical solution to our road problem?
-reduce the access
-dig trenches which prevents wildlife from being killed
-by designing cities that are not based on cars, forcing people to use other modes of transportation
What suggestions do you have for reconnecting land to nature? (transportation)
-it is very beautiful to drive through the mountains, so we wouldn't want to take that away (by building trenches people drive through)
-We need to change the social aspects by changing peoples minds
Do you think the public would accept this new proposed Netway system?
-No, I think that people are very attached to their independence of owning their own vehicle and being completely in charge of where and when they use it. To take that away would create lots of conflict.
Reflections: I found this seminar quite interesting as I was not aware of the possibilities of the Netway system. I do not think that this system would work completely for many people because individuals like their independence and ability drive anywhere, whenever they want. Also, there is a certain degree of connection with nature when driving where many kids can be educated and immersed just by viewing the world around them from the backseat of a car. I think this system is on the right track, but still needs development to move forward. 

Image 1: "The Future of Roads: No Driving, No Emissions, Nature Reconnected" Solutions http://thesolutionsjournal.anu.edu.au/node/975 accessed April 18, 2013
Image 2: "The Future of Roads: No Driving, No Emissions, Nature Reconnected" Your Olive Branch http://news.yourolivebranch.org/2012/01/31/the-future-of-roads-no-driving-no-emissions-nature-reconnected/ accessed April 18, 2013