128909 http://uservoice.com/users/128909-garyse7en http://www.gravatar.com/avatar/f100713cd96b94258e7407b7cfccf42b?default=http://uservoice.com/images/icons/default-avatar.jpg GarySe7en GarySe7en GarySe7en 47 361 71904 http://obamaurbanpolicy.obamacto.org/pages/6216-general/suggestions/71904-new-tax-structure-for-vehicle-miles-traveled Gas taxes are not sufficient to pay for our infrastructure, however simply raising gas taxes is not a balanced approach to increasing our transportation fund, although we should raise gas taxes to... Gas taxes are not sufficient to pay for our infrastructure, however simply raising gas taxes is not a balanced approach to increasing our transportation fund, although we should raise gas taxes to reduce demand. More fuel efficient vehicles are becoming popular, and they do as much if not more (due to heavy batteries in hybrids) damage to the roads, yet pay for less of the road cost because they have higher gas mileage. From a funding for infrastructure stand point, this is not fair. Whoever can afford the latest gas saving vehicle gets to pay for less road work. We should be taxing in addition to gas, vehicle miles traveled, because that is what actually creates demand for roads and need for repair. Road damage caused by vehicles grows rapidly as you move up in vehicle weight class, so I propose that the vehicle miles traveled tax be multiplied by a factor created for different weight classes. This should spur a sharp decrease in the popularity of SUV's among those who do not need such heavy vehicles. The funds raised from these taxes should be diversified into a comprehensive transit system that encourages walking, biking and mass transit in addition to the roads them selves, since this increases the efficiency of the entire system. Simply adding lanes to a highway has diminishing returns, and in many cities already built out, there is little room to add more private vehicle capacity. 15 2 6216 General general 128909 GarySe7en GarySe7en GarySe7en 2008-11-14T19:30:03Z 2008-11-14T19:30:03Z general 69952 http://obamaurbanpolicy.obamacto.org/pages/6216-general/suggestions/69952-apply-highway-funds-to-streets-that-serve-all-users To build an efficient green economy, we need to move beyond the single-minded focus of many current transportation models and FHWA programs on moving cars and trucks. The better goal is moving people... To build an efficient green economy, we need to move beyond the single-minded focus of many current transportation models and FHWA programs on moving cars and trucks. The better goal is moving people comfortably where they want to go, whether the best choice is walking, biking, riding transit or driving. Federal funding should encourage the creation of efficient grids of multi-modal streets that support livable neighborhoods with a range of nearby amenities. Big arterial strips and large highways are the cheap-and-dirty energy infrastructure of the 20th Century. 406 0 6216 General general 128777 anonymous anonymous anonymous 2008-11-12T22:10:16Z 2008-11-12T22:10:16Z general 69976 http://obamaurbanpolicy.obamacto.org/pages/6216-general/suggestions/69976-complete-streets-legislation Create federal guidelines for urban street development that takes account all road users. This includes pedestrians, bicycles, buses, automobiles and trucks. Success of roads should never be measured... Create federal guidelines for urban street development that takes account all road users. This includes pedestrians, bicycles, buses, automobiles and trucks. Success of roads should never be measured by movement of private automobiles alone. Cities are about the mobility of people, not moving and parking cars. Variable parking pricing, congestion pricing, bike parking, safe pedestrian crossings among issues would be promoted. 500 4 6216 General general 128909 GarySe7en GarySe7en GarySe7en 2008-11-12T22:45:35Z 2008-11-12T22:45:35Z general 71002 http://obamaurbanpolicy.obamacto.org/pages/6216-general/suggestions/71002-promote-urban-farming Our nation's food system is extremely unsustainable in terms of energy use, water use, land use, ecological systems, community, and economics. Shifting food production to a more localized system in ... Our nation's food system is extremely unsustainable in terms of energy use, water use, land use, ecological systems, community, and economics. Shifting food production to a more localized system in that is in close proximity to the population it sustains (in urban areas or immediately adjacent to them) has numerous benefits including job creation, better defining urban boundaries, reduced energy use, reduced environmental impacts, urban livability, education and awareness of food production, and more accountability, which leads to a more humane, sustainable, and healthy food system overall. 651 3 6216 General general 138591 mjh mjh mjh 2008-11-13T18:41:42Z 2008-11-13T18:41:42Z general 69758 http://obamaurbanpolicy.obamacto.org/pages/6216-general/suggestions/69758-end-subsidies-for-car-dependent-development Walkable developments currently subsidize car-dependent developments. End the subsidies for car-dependent development by requiring developers to pay the true cost of utilities and transportation in... Walkable developments currently subsidize car-dependent developments. End the subsidies for car-dependent development by requiring developers to pay the true cost of utilities and transportation in sprawling developments. 1043 10 6216 General general 117031 frontseat frontseat frontseat 2008-11-12T20:04:50Z 2008-11-12T20:04:50Z general 69759 http://obamaurbanpolicy.obamacto.org/pages/6216-general/suggestions/69759-invest-in-a-world-class-rail-network Build a world-class rail system between cities and within them to transport people and goods more efficiently. Build a world-class rail system between cities and within them to transport people and goods more efficiently. 1875 25 6216 General general 117031 frontseat frontseat frontseat 2008-11-12T20:06:39Z 2008-11-12T20:11:07Z general 2008-11-12T22:36:03Z 2009-10-31T17:02:37Z