February 2nd, 2010 0 Comments
Image courtesy of flickr.com/dmbelo
As a vanpooler, you’ve likely got more time to appreciate the scenery, rather than worry about merging and dodging potholes. And while trees, mountains and the late-afternoon sun are certainly worthy of contemplation, you might also consider the paved pathways that lead between work and home. Here are 5 things you might not have known about America’s network of roads, highways and freeways:
1. Although concrete and asphalt paving had been around for several decades, the first paved road intended for automobiles was constructed in Detroit in 1908.
2. The first coast-to-coast route was mapped in 1913 and dubbed the Lincoln Highway by a private entrepreneur who intended to promote travel along the road for commercial gain. It stretched between New York and San Francisco. Most of the route is still drivable today.
3. The Pennsylvania Turnpike is considered an early model of the freeway and its first section opened in 1940.
4. The Interstate system of freeways didn’t exist until President Eisenhower signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956. Kansas claims a stretch of I-70 is the first section of the system.
5. There are about 45,000 miles of Interstate highways in the 48 contiguous states. Alaska and Hawaii have Interstate routes, but of course, none connect with other U.S. Interstate routes, so rather than “I” names, the routes have “A” names: “A1,” “A2,” etc., in Alaska and “H” names in Hawaii.
Tags: Alaska, america's roads, coast-to-coast, expressway, Federal-Aid Highway Act, freeway, Hawaii, Interstate system, lincoln highway, paved, Pennsylvania Turnpike, President Eisenhower, vanpooler
Posted in Commuting, Sustainable Transportation, Transportation Cost Savings | No Comments »
January 8th, 2010 2 Comments
The following post was written by Chris Dojka from Palmer, Alaska. It was originally submitted to our iPhone contest, but it was so enjoyable that we had to share it with our readers.
On or about March 2007, I was driving our van home down the Glenn Highway from Elmendorf AFB back to the Palmer/Wasilla valley in Alaska. The sun was shinning, the temperature was in the 20s and there was still snow on the sides of the road.
As we passed through Eagle River and neared the South Birchwood exit ramp, I noticed something in the distance in the oncoming lane. It was approaching at a high rate of speed. Keep in mind the Glenn Highway is a divided highway with two lanes in either direction. As it got closer I could see that it was a full size tandem axle car trailer. There was only one small problem; it was speeding down the highway by itself! Yes, nothing was pulling this trailer. It apparently broke free from its tow vehicle and was now free-wheeling down the highway. Read More
Tags: accident, Alaska, axel, Eagle River, Elmendorf AFB, Glenn Highway, South Birchwood exit ramp, traffic, trailer, Vanpool
Posted in Commuting, Riders and Drivers | 2 Comments »
October 20th, 2009 0 Comments
2009 marked the beginning of a Regional Vanpool program called “Alaska Share A Van.” This is a coordinated effort between 
Anchorage’s Share-A-Ride program, their vanpool provider VPSI and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.
As a kick off to get the word out and to thank the existing customers VPSI and Anchorage Share-A-Ride held a customer appreciation picnic on July 18, 2009.
It was a sunny beautiful day in Wasilla at Newcomb Park. Yes, that’s the same place Sarah Palin is from; however we did not see Russia from the picnic site. KMBQ Valley Radio was there, broadcasting live throughout the event. Vanpoolers were everywhere and brought their families (and appetites) along. Read More
Tags: Alaska, Alaska Share A Van, Anchorage, Appreciation, Bill Fritts, Customer, KMBQ, KMBQ Valley Radio, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Mayor Roger Purcell, Picnic, Regional Vanpool, Sarah Palin, Share-A-Ride, Share-A-Ride program, Wasilla, “Star of the Fleet”
Posted in Commuting, Riders and Drivers, Sustainable Transportation | No Comments »
July 8th, 2009 0 Comments
VPSI’s military-focused website, www.militaryvanpool.com, unveiled a new “Military Vanpool in the News” page yesterday that features reprints of stories and, whenever possible, hyperlinks to the original story about vanpoolers and vanpooling at military installations throughout the country. As military installations from Fort Bragg, North Carolina to Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska embrace sustainable transportation solutions like vanpooling these success stories continue to generate media attention. “Archiving news stories about successful vanpool programs at military installations is a logical addition to the militaryvanpool.com website and consistent with our objective of raising awareness about the military’s Mass Transportation Benefit Program,” noted Peyton Youmans, the site’s creator. Read More
Tags: air force base, Alaska, Elmendorf, Fort Bragg, military, MilitaryVanpools.com, Peyton Youmans, unveil, vanpools, website
Posted in Green Employee Benefits, Interviews and Experts, MilitaryVanpool, Sustainable Transportation, Vanpool | No Comments »
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