News
08.16.2018
RSG Authors National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report on How Weather Affects Noise on Highways
TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) recently published Research Report 882: How Weather Affects the Noise You Hear from Highways, which documents the meteorological effects on roadway noise propagation under different atmospheric conditions. Highway noise changes from day to day and hour to hour—not just because of variations in traffic volumes, vehicle mix, and speed, but also because of the weather. The report, authored by RSG in cooperation with Bowlby & Associates, TNO, Wyle, Northeast Wind, and Volpe Center, develops guidance to identify when atmospheric conditions should or should not be considered in noise analyses.
Tools were developed to help explain these effects to the public, including a self-paced narrated slide presentation as well as a customizable four-panel brochure. In addition, a tool was developed to help predict the frequency of favorable and unfavorable atmospheric conditions given specific airport weather data. Check out the report and download these at http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/177926.aspx.
05.22.2018
RSG Sr. Director’s New Book Published
With the hustle and bustle of today’s busy world, we now have more sound and light pollution than ever before. Have you ever wondered what impact that has on the world around us, especially the great outdoors?
In their new book, “Natural Quiet and Natural Darkness,” RSG’s Steve Lawson and co-authors explore that concern and suggest best practices for studying, managing, and protecting natural quiet and natural darkness in the national parks and related reserves.
05.03.2018
RSG Director Quoted in Epicurious Article
With the prevalence of online shopping, it isn’t all that surprising that many consumers are now using the internet to purchase their groceries as well. Buyers that once couldn’t imagine not personally picking out their produce are now turning to grocery delivery services for the ease and convenience. But, with that ease and convenience come environmental and societal implications. Recognizing this, food-centered site Epicurious explored the issue in their article “Everything You Should and Should Not Feel Guilty About When Ordering Groceries.”
The article quotes RSG Director Erica Wygonik’s research on the topic, which found that “ordering groceries online could reduce carbon emissions anywhere from 20 to 75 percent.” But, before you fill up your virtual shopping cart, the article also points out that “though there is potential to cut greenhouse gas emissions, there are other toxic side effects of delivery trucks that are felt more immediately.”
Learn more and check out the full article at: https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/environmental-impact-online-grocery-shopping-article
04.27.2018
RSG’s Household Travel Diary Study in Twin City Region Highlighted in Metropolitan Council Newsletter
RSG’s household travel diary study in the Twin City region was recently featured in the Metropolitan Council’s newsletter. The article highlights this spring’s data collection, which is using a smartphone-based travel survey (rMove™) for the first time. We’re excited to get rMove in the hands of Twin City residents and to help the region keep pace with all the factors changing the way we travel.
04.10.2018
RSG Director Published in University of Chicago Journal ‘Marine Resource Economics’
RSG Director Chris Leggett was published in the University of Chicago Journal Marine Resource Economics. His article, titled “Assessing the Economic Benefits of Reductions in Marine Debris at Southern California Beaches: A Random Utility Travel Cost Model,” evaluates the influence of marine debris on an individual’s choice of which beach to visit for recreation.
03.09.2018
RSG Director to Lead Webinar with the National Center for Road Safety
RSG’s, Steve Gayle, will be co-presenting the webinar titled, “Creating a Regional Transportation Planning Organization to Help on the Road to Zero” on March 20th.
The webinar is hosted by the National Center for Road Safety and will include an overview of the FHWA funded RTPO Fact Sheets: an RTPO 101 series and an RTPO Noteworthy Practice, as well as, case studies from Ohio and Washington. Steve will present information on “RTPO State of the Practice,” an RSG project with the FHWA Office of Planning.
For more information and to register for the webinar, please visit the link below.
03.08.2018
RSG Director Featured in Article on Redevelopment Project
RSG’s Erica Wygonik was featured in a recent article on the redevelopment of the historic McIntyre Federal Building in Portsmouth, NH. She provided expertise at the city’s public input session on transportation and parking for the redevelopment project.
03.01.2018
RSG’s Research Examines Drone Delivery Service
We’re excited to see RSG’s research on drone delivery service included in a recent article titled, “I Had Lunch Flown in by Project Wing.” A study by RSG and Professor Goodchild from the University of Washington found that Project Wing’s drone delivery service generates 22 times fewer carbon emissions than a delivery vehicle over an average delivery trip in Canberra, Australia. This reduction in carbon emissions ties with Project Wing’s goal of making delivery more environmentally friendly and reducing road congestion.
02.23.2018
RSG Leads Webinar on Wind Project Audibility and Annoyance
Tuesday, February 27
1pm – 2pm ET
Please join the third in a four-part webinar series focused on results from the National Survey of Attitudes of Wind Power Project Neighbors. This free webinar will focus on an RSG-led investigation of various predictors of reported ability to hear turbines and stated sound annoyance, including modeled project sound levels, local background sound levels, objective measures of people and place, and self-reported subjective descriptors. It will feature Ryan Haac, Ken Kaliski and Matt Landis from RSG and Ben Hoen from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
02.13.2018
RSG is Certified by Great Place to Work®
We’re excited to be certified as a great workplace for the fifth consecutive year by the independent analysts at Great Place to Work®. RSG earned this credential based on extensive ratings provided by its employees in anonymous surveys. A summary of these ratings can be found at http://reviews.greatplacetowork.com/rsg.
01.02.2018
RSG’s Work Supports EWR’s $2.3B Terminal A Redevelopment
The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey recently approved nearly $500 million for early phase projects of Newark Airport’s $2.3 billion Terminal A Redevelopment. This includes $75M for foundation work on new terminal frontage to accommodate a future AirTrain alignment. Construction is slated to start in 2018.
RSG played a critical role in the planning for this major AirTrain construction project. We led a large data collection, analysis, and forecasting effort which informed decisions on whether to replace and enhance AirTrain infrastructure (or implement another mode like bus service) and how to design the infrastructure, train features, and services to meet future ridership demand.
12.11.2017
RSG-Authored Study on Proposed NY Port Published by New York State DOT
Last week, the New York State DOT published the final market study on a proposed Central New York Inland Port. The study, led by RSG Director Steven Gayle, assessed the potential viability of a new Central New York Inland Port facility in the Syracuse area. Such a facility, offering a direct rail link with the Port of NY and NJ, has the potential to significantly reduce the cost of shipping to the region and reduce large trucks on the nearby interstate.
Learn more at: https://www.ny.gov/sites/ny.gov/files/atoms/files/Inland_Port_Study.pdf
11.21.2017
Article by RSG Senior Analyst Published on “The Research Insighter”
An article authored by RSG’s Jerry Hendricks, “Respondent Engagement Requires Engagement,” was published last week on “The Research Insighter.” The piece responds to a disturbing trend in quant research—imposing arbitrary constraints on the survey instrument in the name of superior practice. In Jerry’s words, “Respondent engagement requires engagement. If we want consumers to take time out of their busy schedules to answer our questions, we need to keep it interesting!”
10.10.2017
Part Two of RSG Director’s Article Published in BioCycle Magazine
RSG Director John Hinckley’s article “Emission Control for Anaerobic Digesters” was published in the October issue of BioCycle. The article, which is part two of a two-part piece, discusses how the air permitting process can be thoughtfully anticipated to avoid significant project costs and delays.
Published since 1960, BioCycle is the leading magazine on composting, organics recycling, anaerobic digestion, and renewable energy.
09.13.2017
RSG Director’s Article on Air Permitting for Anaerobic Digesters Published in BioCycle Magazine
RSG Director John Hinckley’s article “Air Quality Permitting for Anaerobic Digesters” was published in this month’s issue of BioCycle. The article, which is part one of a two-part piece, discusses how the air permitting process can be thoughtfully anticipated to avoid significant project costs and delays.
Published since 1960, BioCycle is the leading magazine on composting, organics recycling, anaerobic digestion, and renewable energy.