Road intrusions into natural habitat space facilitate increased human activity in the area, due to the increased ease of access. When humans arrive, they bring their sicknesses and germs with them. This video explains how efforts to increase human tourist traffic are introducing the chimpanzees of the Mahale Mountains National Park in Tanzania to fatal illnesses, and can serve as a valuable case study in road’s impacts on the health of wildlife.
Author Archives: Jerry
The Environmental Blog – One Stop Information
While there are many websites claiming to be environmental blogs, there is only one that can be THE environmental blog. While discussing a range of environmental issues, I found the transit section of the website to be especially diverse in the scope of its topics. This is promising, as the blog aims to present a variety of information about road and rail, ranging from academic studies to government plans, or the latest green technologies to tips for greener living. The blog is run by a small group of contributors with expertise in their respective fields.
Given the diversity of topics, citations in each of their posts can lead readers to easily explore ideas of interest in more detail. Even though the diversity of topics is so wide, the specific but varied nature of the posts don’t make it seem to broad of a blog. Rather, the frequent updates make it a wealth of information that viewers can search for whatever particular interests they may have. The information is accurate, accessible, and relevant. People interested in any environmental topic will find something worthwhile here.
My favorite post so far? “Blimps are making a comeback as a viable alternative to airplanes…” FINALLY! 
Freeway Deconstruction
Formerly the site of Harbor Drive Freeway, the city of Portland was the first in the United States to decide to close and remove a freeway, and replaced it with the 37-acre Tom McCall Waterfront Part (seen here). Since the removal of the freeway in 1974, property values in downtown Portland have increased an average of 10.4% annually, crime has decreased in this area by 65% compared to 16% reduction in the city as a whole, and there has been no noted congestion in the surrounding roadways. Surprisingly, before and after comparisons demonstrated a 9.6% decrease in vehicle trips of nearby roads and bridges.