2010 Census Participation Numbers Available - Nationally 74% Participated

The U.S. Census Bureau has announced that 74 percent of households in the United States filled out and mailed back their 2010 Census questionnaire, matching the final mail participation rate achieved in the 2000 Census. Twenty-two states, 1,553 counties, and 278 cities and townships of 50,000 or more met or exceeded their 2000 Census participation rates. The District of Columbia and Puerto Rico also exceeded their rates.

The final 74 percent mail participation rate includes an additional 2 percent of households that mailed back their forms after April 27, when the U.S. Census Bureau announced a 72 percent participation rate. While these forms were received too late to prevent a visit by a census taker, they were included in the final tally.

Approximately 47 million households that did not mail back a census form by the deadline were visited by census takers in person as part of a series of operations and methods to ensure as complete a count as possible. The Census Bureau either received a form or attempted repeated visits to 100 percent of the identified housing units in the country.

The final mail participation rates for the nation, states, counties, cities, towns and even the neighborhood level can now be found on the 2010 Census's Web site (http://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/2010textview.php).

Here is a break down of counties in the KIPDA region:
Indiana State-wide Percentage—79%

By county:
Clark County—79%
Floyd County—80%

Kentucky State-wide Percentage—77%
By county:
Bullitt County—80%
Henry County—76%
Jefferson County—76%
Oldham County—82%
Shelby County—79%
Spencer County—81%
Trimble County—69%

TARC awarded $9 million in federal grants

The Transit Authority of River Cicty (TARC) will receive $9 million to buy eight hybrid buses, install an electronic fare collection system and make energy efficiency improvements at its historic Union Station headquarters in Louisville thanks to federal grants approved in October.

The grant is the most TARC has ever received in competitive grant funding in a single year and will create 96 full-time jobs for a year including up to 40 local jobs.

Louisville workers take more than 7.8 million trips on TARC each year to get to and from their jobs, based on a recent TARC survey of ridership. Students take more than two million trips a year on TARC to get to or from school.

“This is a huge win for TARC and all of Louisville,” Louisville Metro Mayor Jerry Abramson said.

TARC Executive Director J. Barry Barker said TARC “is deeply appreciative of Congressman Yarmuth’s work on behalf of TARC and his support and Mayor Abramson’s support. TARC is well on its way to major service improvements in the next year with these grants and with other developments in the works. We are excited about the improvements and intend to see ridership increase,” Barker said.

In addition to the grants awarded this month, a new TARC radio communications system will be in operation next year and more bus service is scheduled to begin in February on two heavily traveled routes - #23 Broadway, which also includes Bardstown Road, and #18 Preston-18th which includes Dixie Highway. A previous $1 million grant provided funding for adding buses to the two routes so that arrivals will be every 12-15 minutes at stops during rush hours.

Grants approved this month are:

• Electronic Fare Collection System: $2.5 million. Onboard fares can be paid with cash or a new option of using a card and paying electronically. The system, funded with a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) State of Good Repair grant, is expected to be operating by 2012.

• Eight new hybrid buses: $3.9 million. TARC’s fleet of environmentally-friendly buses will increase to 29 with the arrival of eight new hybrid-electric buses funded through the FTA’s Clean Fuels Bus and Bus Facilities Program. The buses will replace diesel-fueled buses that are 12 years old and have traveled an average of 475,000 miles.  Hybrid buses are more fuel efficient, easier to maintain and offer a smoother ride than older diesel-fueled buses. A hybrid bus saves on average 2,000 gallons of fuel a year compared to older buses. At current diesel prices the fuel savings would total $36,000 a year.

• Window restoration/weatherization and geothermal heating and cooling system at Union Station, TARC’s headquarters: $2.6 million. The grant from the federal Department of Transportation’s TIGGER II program will create savings in operating costs and help preserve the 120-year old Union Station, one of Louisville’s historic architectural gems. Annual savings in energy use with the geothermal system and window restorations are estimated at $58,000 a year. All 278 windows at Union Station including 40 made of stained glass are to be restored.

National Teen Driver Safety Week is Underway

Gov. Steve Beshear signed a proclamation in honor of National Teen Driver Safety Week, which is Oct. 17-24. In support of this effort, the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety (KOHS) is partnering with State Farm Insurance to bring awareness of safe driving practices to Kentucky’s teenagers.


“Young drivers are four times as likely as adults to be killed in a car crash,” said KOHS Executive Director Chuck Geveden. “Driver distraction, lack of experience and skill, alcohol and the lack of seatbelt usage all contribute to the high number of fatalities for this age group.”

Last year in Kentucky, there were 28,207 total crashes involving drivers under 21 years of age. These crashes resulted in 9,348 injuries and 136 fatalities.

“Car crashes remain the number one killer of teens and October continues to be our single biggest battleground month,” said Lisa Ripley, spokeswoman for State Farm Insurance. “While promoting teen driver safety requires a year-round commitment, the fall time frame is critically important. As teens return to school, attend homecoming and begin managing very busy schedules, we want them to keep safe driving practices at the top of their minds because our data shows this is one of the most dangerous times of year for teens to be on the road.”

The KOHS is visiting 10 schools throughout the week with various programs, demonstrating the dangers of distracted driving and the benefits of seat belt use. Students will also participate in the KOHS Distracted Driving (D2) simulator, which gives lifelike exposure to the dangers of distracted driving without putting teenagers at risk by mimicking and displaying the handling characteristics of a vehicle. Drivers can receive and send phone calls and text messages while attempting to obey the rules of the road.

In 2009, teenage drivers accounted for 14,505 distracted driving related crashes, resulting in 4,531 injuries and 40 fatalities on Kentucky roadways.

Kentucky’s new texting law bans texting for all drivers while the vehicle is in motion. For drivers under 18, use of all personal communication devices such as cell phones and pagers is not allowed while the vehicle is in motion.

For more information about teen driving safety, please visit www.nhtsa.gov; www.distraction.gov; and http://highwaysafety.ky.gov.

TARC Outlines Arena Service Plan

TARC recently announced that after ballgames and other big events at the KFC Yum! Center, they will keep buses off Main and Market streets near the arena to avoid heavy traffic. TARC passengers will be directed to boarding areas several blocks away and additional buses will be added to some routes.

TARC's arena service plan is designed to keep buses out of heavy traffic and to provide safe, reliable public transportation for all TARC riders. Riders are encouraged to plan ahead on big arena event days. Know your route and recommended post-event boarding location. Drivers will also pick up riders at designated stops along detour routes.

The plan takes effect for the first big arena event, The Eagles Concert, at 8 p.m. tomorrow. If you are riding TARC downtown or to the concert, the following detours will be in effect 60-90 minutes after the event.

Route #2 Second Street - Southbound

Boarding location - on 1st between Liberty and Muhammad Ali

Bus will follow the regular route northbound to Liberty, take a right on Liberty, right on 1st Street to the boarding location.

Routes #4 Fourth Street, #6 Sixth Street and #63 Crums Lane - Southbound

Boarding location - 6th at Cedar St.

Buses will follow the regular route northbound to Muhammad Ali, turn left on Muhammad Ali right on 7th Street, right on Liberty, right on 6th Street to the boarding location at 6th at Liberty.

Route #15 Market Street - Eastbound

Boarding Location - 1st and Liberty

Bus will follow the regular route eastbound to Roy Wilkins, turn left on Liberty Street to the 1st and Liberty boarding location. It will then turn left on Brook Street and right on Market Street to the regular route.

Route # 15 Market Street - Westbound

Boarding Location between 4th and 5th on Jefferson Street. No detour westbound.

Routes #17 Bardstown Road - Fern Creek and #55 Westport Road -Eastbound

Boarding location - 1st and Liberty

Route #18 Preston 18th - Eastbound Boarding location - 1st and Liberty

Bus will travel regular route east bound to Liberty, turn right on Liberty to boarding area at 1st and Liberty.

Route #18 Preston 18th - Westbound
Boarding area - between 4th and 5th on Jefferson

No detour westbound.

Routes #19 Muhammad Ali and #21 Chestnut Street - Eastbound
Boarding location - Between 2nd and 3rd Streets on Chestnut Street

No detour eastbound.

Routes #19 Muhammad Ali and #21 Chestnut Street - Westbound
Boarding locations between 2nd and 3rd on Muhammad Ali

No detour westbound.

Route #31 Middletown - Eastbound
Boarding location -1st and Liberty

Bus will follow regular route eastbound, to Liberty, turn right on Liberty to the boarding area at 1st and Liberty. Then turn left on Brook Street and right on Market to the regular route.

No detour westbound.

Route #43 Poplar Level - Eastbound
Boarding location - on 1st between Liberty and Muhammad Ali

Bus will follow regular route to Roy Wilkins, turn right on Roy Wilkins, left on Liberty Street, right on First to boarding area on First between Liberty and Muhammad Ali.

Route #43 Poplar Level - Westbound
Boarding location between 4th and 5th on W. Jefferson

No detour westbound.

Routes #71 Jeffersonville and #72 Clarksville New Albany - Northbound
Boarding area - 1st and Liberty

Buses will take the regular route on 5th Street, turn right on Liberty to boarding area at 1st and Liberty, turn right on to I-65 North and exit Court Avenue to the regular route.

TARC customer service representatives will be stationed at the KFC Yum! Center main entrance after the event. For additional information, call TARC Customer Service at 585-1234 or visit http://www.ridetarc.org/.

Planning and Design Services Holds Sustainable Communities Workshop

Louisville Metro Planning and Design Services is holding a Sustainable Communities Design Workshop October 19-21 at the Fern Creek Fire Station #2,9409 Bardstown Road.

The three-day interactive community workshop will explore the idea of sustainable communities and mixed use “centers.” The workshop provides an ideal setting to explore how the “centers” idea can work for Fern Creek, and in turn, how this area can serve as a model for other parts of Louisville and the region.

Activities for the workshop include formal presentations; group discussions (focusing on design, transportation, housing, neighborhoods, environment, open space, economic development, and land use); and open design studios.

The workshop is free and all sessions are open to the public.

For more information on the Sustainable Communities Design Workshop, please call Louisville Metro Planning and Design Services at 502-574-6230; or go to: www.louisvilleky.gov/PlanningDesign/Neighborhood+Plans/SGIA.htm

TARC Seeks Input On Proposed Route Changes

The Transit Authority of River City (TARC) is looking for public feedback on proposed route changes, which will go into effect on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2011, to improve service and safety.

Members of the public interested in responding can send an email to info@ridetarc.org or call 561-5112. Those wishing to discuss the proposals and obtain additional iformation about how they will be affected, are invited to attend the public hearings listed below.

Wed., Oct. 20
11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. and 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Swiss Hall
719 Lynn Street

Thurs., Oct. 21
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Metro Development Center
444 South 5th Street

5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
TARC
1000 West Broadway

Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations, including the provision of informational material in an alternative format, will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. Language translators will also be provided upon request. Please call 561-5112 or 561-5115 with specific information on your special needs.


PROPOSED ROUTE ADJUSTMENTS FOR JANUARY 2011

Route #2 Second Street: A rerouting is being considered to serve a portion of S. Preston Street that would no longer be part of Route #18-Preston-18th under proposed changes. Route #2 would be rerouted south of Hill Street, to Preston Street, to Eastern Parkway, then to Crittenden Drive, connecting to the current Route #2. Bus frequency would be adjusted by a few minutes because of the slightly longer route.

Route #4 Fourth Street: Rerouting is proposed from 5th & Liberty Street to serve the Louisville Medical Center. The proposed route will travel east on Liberty Street, south on 1st Street, east on Chestnut Street, north on Jackson Street and west on Jefferson Street. Route #4 would no longer serve stops on 5th at Market, on 4th at Main, or on 6th at Market.

Route #6 Sixth Street: To address overcrowding, a weekday trip, which currently originates at the Iroquois Park Loop at 1:51 p.m., will instead originate at New Cut Market Center on Outer Loop at 1:39 p.m.

Route #18 Preston-18th: A rerouting is proposed between Hill Street and Eastern Parkway. The proposed route will travel on Preston Street, Burnett Avenue, 1st Street and Brook Street, Cardinal Boulevard, Floyd Street, Warnock Street, Crittenden Drive and Eastern Parkway to provide service between the Medical Center and U of L Belknap Campus. Route #18 will no longer serve Shelby Street, Lynn Street and Preston Street north of Eastern Parkway.

Routes #19 Muhammad Ali and #21 Chestnut Street: The westbound stop on Muhammad Ali Boulevard at 4th Street will be removed due to heavy traffic congestion and a larger stop will be established between 5th Street and Armory Place. The eastbound stop on Chestnut at 4th Street will be removed permanently, since it is close to adjoining stops at 5th and 3rd. Trips to Wenzel Avenue will turn two blocks farther east at Liberty and Chestnut Streets. There will be slight adjustments on arrival and departure times.

Route #27 Hill Street: Route #27 will no longer serve Burnett Avenue south of Texas Avenue, Eastern Parkway, Poplar Level Road, Audubon Medical Center or Illinois Avenue. These areas will continue to be served by Routes #29-Eastern Parkway or #43-Poplar Level. Frequency of buses will improve on the remaining route. Also, due to construction at the current Portland bus loop, the bus turn around is proposed to be moved to 35th Street and Bank Street adjacent to the Kroger store.

Route #43 Poplar Level: One trip northbound from Poplar Level Road at Fern Valley Pass will be added to help with overcrowding. Due to construction at the Portland loop, this bus is proposed to turn around at 35th and Bank Streets, providing access to an adjacent Kroger store.

Route #52 Medical Center Circulator: The westbound stop on Muhammad Ali Boulevard at 4th Street will be removed due to heavy traffic congestion and a larger stopping area will be established between 5th Street and Armory Place. There are no time changes proposed for this route.

Route #72 Clarksville/New Albany: Schedule times will be adjusted and all midday trips will serve New Albany.

INCREASED SERVICE ON TWO MAJOR ROUTES
Route #18 Preston - 18th
Route #23 Broadway and Bardstown Road
Pending receipt of federal grant funds, TARC will improve service beginning in January with additional buses on these routes. Weekday buses will arrive more frequently at all stops during peak and off-peak hours. Weekend service will also be increased.

Come see KIPDA at the One Southern Indiana Expo

KIPDA staff will be at the One Southern Indiana business expo from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. today at Kye's in Jeffersonville.

KIPDA is one of about 120 booths at the expo and will be answering questions and speaking to residents about projects. The KIPDA booth is located in Kye's II and admission to the expo is free.

Hope to see you there!