Category: Electric Vehicle

NFTA and GBNRTC Receive Federal Contract to Improve Transportation Options for Older Adults, People With Disabilities, and Those with Low Incomes.

by Maria Morrealein Allentown, Amenities, Buffalo, Campus-wide, Community, Commuting, Electric Vehicle, Environment, Fruit Belt, Infrastructure, Neighbors, Technology

New Video Will Provide More Information for Users

Buffalo, New York – Buffalo All Access: In and around BNMC, a new initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) under the ITS4US Deployment Program, will use technology to improve transportation options for travelers in and around the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus (BNMC), regardless of ability, age, or income. The initiative aims to make it easier for people of all abilities to utilize public transit and access the many essential services and destinations on and around the medical campus. The initiative focuses on providing:

  • An All Access App: a mobile app, website (https://bnmc.org/allaccess), and call center for people to plan trips based on their unique needs and abilities.
  • A Shuttle Program: an on-demand community shuttle that includes both human-driven shuttles and a self-driving shuttle.
  • Smart Infrastructure: wayfinding technologies on the medical campus that assist people who need support with both outdoor navigation and indoor navigation (inside VIA and the Buffalo General Medical Center). 

The project is led by the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) in partnership with BNMC, the Greater Buffalo Niagara Regional Transportation Council (GBNRTC), the University at Buffalo (UB), City of Buffalo, NITTEC, Kaleida Health, Buffalo Hearing & Speech Center, VIA, Heart of the City Neighborhoods, and FruitBelt Coalition, Inc. aka Fruit of the City. Consultant partners on the project include ICF, ETCH, RSG, and the Open Doors Organization. The project team has just produced an overview video that showcases more details about this project.  For more information, please watch the video on the website (https://bnmc.org/allaccess/).

Speaking about the project, Jamie Hamann-Burney, Director of Planning & Implementation for BNMC, said: “The lack of safe and inclusive trip planning and travel options for people of all abilities can be a major barrier to employment, healthcare, and other quality of life essentials in our community.  We’re thrilled to be a part of this initiative that will help break down these barriers.”

The ITS4US Deployment Program (https://its.dot.gov/its4us/) is a $40 million multimodal effort, led by the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Joint Program Office (JPO) and supported by the Office of the Secretary, the Federal Highway Administration, and the Federal Transit Administration, to identify ways to provide more efficient, affordable, and accessible transportation options for underserved communities that often face greater challenges in accessing essential services.

The U.S. DOT launched Phase 1 of the program in January 2021 and supported the concept development efforts of select sites, including Buffalo All Access. In June 2022, Buffalo All Access was selected to continue Phases 2 and 3 of the program, which includes the design, testing, operation, and evaluation of the deployment.

About Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus  

For more than twenty years, The Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus organization (BNMC) has been a driving force of Buffalo’s economic renaissance. Throughout its management of the growth of Buffalo’s premier innovation district, the BNMC has foregrounded smart economic, social, and environmental development, prioritizing health & well-being and sustainability. Today, the BNMC is focused on the next phase of Buffalo’s ongoing resurgence, cultivating inclusive innovation in partnership with our community. BNMC launched its flagship program, IC Success in 2021 to provide support to aspiring entrepreneurs from all backgrounds to help them start or grow a business. Program graduates form the heart of Buffalo’s growing Innovation Community comprised of businesses large and small in an array of disciplines and leading the region’s next wave of economic development and growth. BNMC  www.bnmc.org. 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Adriana Viverette

Digital Communications Manager

Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus

640 Ellicott, Buffalo, NY 14203

(716) 348-4126 aviverette@bnmc.org

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Take the GoBNMC Commuter Survey Today!

by BNMCin Biking, Community, Commuting, Electric Vehicle, Parking, Transportation

GoBNMC Commuter Survey

The BNMC team has launched our bi-annual GoBNMC commuter survey to help with transportation planning for our district. We use this data to continually expand and improve the many safe, cost-effective and accessible ways for everyone to get to work. This year, we’re also hoping to learn more about COVID-19’s current and future impacts on how employees and students choose to get to the Medical Campus.

Please fill out the survey by October 30th to be entered into our raffle to win 1 of 10 $25 gift certificates to the Neighborhood Explorer Business of your choice.

 

 

Drive Green: The Truth About EV Winter Worries

by BNMCin Buffalo, Campus-wide, Community, Electric Vehicle, Electric Vehicles, Energy, Environment, News

If you’re thinking about making the switch to an electric car, you might be nervous about winter driving. Not to worry! Here are some quick truths and tips about driving your electric vehicle (EV) through a New York winter, with tons more info here.
TRUTHS

Your range will decrease in the winter. Because batteries operate less efficiently when they’re cold, your EV will get fewer miles per kilowatt-hour in the winter. However, the range for gas powered cars also decreases by as much as 22% in the winter!

 Snow and ice are not usually a problem for EVs. Because the battery often makes up the floorboard of the vehicle, EVs have a low center of gravity and evenly distributed weight, which makes them stable and easy to maneuver, and increases traction on snow or icy terrain.

TIPS

Precondition your vehicle. Warm up your car while it’s still plugged in so that you don’t deplete your battery’s reserves. Getting into a warm car also means you don’t have to crank the heat as much once it’s unplugged!

 Use the special heating features for your vehicle. If your car offers heated seats and steering wheels, use them! They will use less energy and allow you to comfortably keep the cabin temperature slightly lower.

 Drive efficiently. Use regenerative breaking to capture any energy that might otherwise be lost and avoid speeding as it increases drag, which decreases mileage.

 Park and charge somewhere warm. If you must park outside, try to find a sunny spot to keep your battery warm.

To learn more about the ins and outs of driving your electric vehicle in the winter, please visit drivegreen.nationalgridus.com/learn/winter.

National Grid $500 Power-Driven Promo

by BNMCin Buffalo, Community, Electric Vehicle, Electric Vehicles, News

National Grid $500 Power-Driven Promo

 

There are lots of reasons to switch to an electric car: they’re more fun to drive, cheaper to fuel, and way better for the environment than gas guzzlers. You already live or work near a charging station, but if you’re still waiting for a sign to make the switch to electric, this is it.

From November 1st until the end of the year, National Grid customers in upstate New York who purchase an electric car are eligible for a $500 Visa gift card as a special bonus!

This $500 is enough to cover charging for 12,000 driving miles, jump start the installation of your own at-home charging station, or go for a wintertime getaway in your brand new electric car. Learn more and wp-contently for your gift card here.

Curious about electric cars but don’t know where to start? Drive Green with National Grid is a program to help you learn everything you need to know about driving on electricity. Whether you’re planning on buying a new car soon or you’ve still got plenty of life left in your old gas guzzler, your next car should be electric!

For more information about Drive Green with National Grid, or if you have any questions about electric cars and this special end-of-the-year offer, please call us at 1-800-287-3950 x7, or email us at drivegreenuny@greenenergyconsumers.org.

 

black vehicle

21 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Installed on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus

by BNMCin Electric Vehicle, Electric Vehicles, NewsLeave a Comment on 21 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Installed on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, December 1, 2011 at 11:00 a.m.

Contact Information:

Kari Bonaro, BNMC, tel 716.218.7157, cell 202.904.7034, kbonaro@bnmc-old.local

Diana Dibble, AAA, tel 315.453-5904, cell 315.345.3664, ddibble@nyaaa.com

 

21 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Installed on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus

Two More Installed at AAA Car Care Plus Locations in Amherst & Clarence

Buffalo, NY – Today the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, Inc. (BNMC) and its partners unveiled 21 electric vehicle charging stations installed across the Medical Campus and two at AAA facilities in Amherst.  This project is a joint effort between BNMC, AAA Western and Central New York, National Grid, Clean Communities of Western NY, NYSERDA, the Global Energy institute, and the US Department of Energy.

“A major focus for the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus institutions right now is planning for the future growth of this campus, in particular taking into account our short- and long-term transportation and energy needs to accommodate the large-scale growth we are anticipating over the next decade. We were thrilled to be able to partner with AAA and NYSERDA on this important project, as part of our ongoing initiative energize BNMC (building new model communities),” said Matthew K. Enstice, President, Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, Inc.

The AAA and BNMC partnership were awarded and successfully implemented a $300,000 project with a $150,000 grant awarded by the DOE/NYSERDA for the turnkey installation of 21 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (240-volt GE DuraStations) throughout the Campus parking areas, including the parking lot at 589 Ellicott Street, the garage at Ellicott & Goodrich, the garage currently under construction at 134 High Street, and in the right of way along Ellicott Street.

“The rapidly growing BNMC continues to set the global standard as an efficient, modern, high quality Medical Campus that integrates vital scientific initiatives that meet health care needs,” said Mayor Byron W. Brown. “With charging stations on campus, we hope more organizations follow suit to increase energy efficiency in Buffalo, and protect our environment.”

In addition, AAA has installed EV Chargers at its two AAA Car Care Plus locations – 8120 Main Street in Clarence and 2131 Eggert Road in Amherst (near Niagara Falls Boulevard).

“AAA is pleased to be a part of this initiative and on the cutting edge of automotive technology that positions us to serve the ever-changing needs of our AAA members,” said Tom Chestnut, President/CEO of AAA Western and Central New York.  “We thank the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, NYSERDA, and Clean Cities for the opportunity to be on board with electric vehicle charging stations at our AAA Car Care Plus locations in Amherst and Clarence for all motorists to access.”

Barry Carr and Bill Pauly, representing the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Program proclaimed, “This is a wonderful boost to Western New York as these charging stations will allow our citizens to take advantage of the latest all electric and plug in hybrid vehicles.  Use of these vehicles will significantly lower vehicle emissions and provide Western New York residents with the opportunity to charge their vehicles while away from home.  We wp-contentreciate the leadership taken by BNMC, AAA, and National Grid in wp-contentlying for this Recovery Act Funding to create commerce here in Western New York”.

Focused on a wide array of public and retail destination stations, Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) has been deployed throughout New York State in an effort to reduce dependence on petroleum-based fuels.  All major vehicle manufacturers are now selling all electric or plug in hybrid vehicles that can dramatically lower operating cost and emissions.  The 23 EVSEs unveiled today, a first of its magnitude for the Greater Western New York region, will be followed by units located at local and super regional shopping centers and malls, open area lots, covered garages, parks, neighborhoods, and municipal and business offices.

“Across New York State, federal stimulus funds are helping to build a transportation system that emits fewer harmful emissions and is less dependent on imported petroleum,” said Linda Hardie, Project Manager at NYSERDA.  “This project represents a key step in making Buffalo and all of New York State a leader in electric transportation.  NYSERDA commends BNMC, AAA, National Grid, and Clean Cities for the vision and commitment they have shown in bringing this project to fruition.”

“Electric vehicles offer our society a path for a fundamental change in moving our transportation systems away from being oil dependent towards increased electrification.  Electrification of the transportation sector means significant flexibility in using a diversified portfolio of energy sources, which may include clean and renewable sources.  And this in turn may drive down transportation costs, improve our climate due to less pollution, and in general make our economy stronger,” said Dr. Alex Domijan, James Clerk Maxwell Professor of Electrical Engineering and Director of the Power Center for Utility Explorations at the University at Buffalo, and President and CEO of the Global Energy Institute at the BNMC.  “We are excited to lead this effort at BNMC and find ways in which we can make EV’s part of our everyday lives. The experimental studies we will conduct will include use patterns, charging and storage techniques, and many more related efforts to benefit our community as the BNMC urban platform is ideal for considerations in setting an example for other communities nationally to emulate.”

“National Grid and the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus recently launched Energize BNMC, a historic partnership designed to transform the campus into a global leader in energy innovation and the installation of the electric vehicle charging stations throughout the campus is a perfect complement to fulfilling the vision of this partnership,” said Dennis Elsenbeck, Director of Community & Customer Management for National Grid in Buffalo. “National Grid supports the development and utilization of alternative transportation fuels like electricity and natural gas. These fuels are clean, economical and domestic, and their adoption will help strengthen the economy and protect the environment.  As part of our partnership with the BNMC we are striving to develop new solutions and cutting edge wp-contentroaches on everything from energy efficiency to renewable energy to smart technologies and what better way for the campus to build on this vision than making the campus electric car friendly through the efforts of NYSERDA , and the US Department of Energy.”

“We are excited and proud to see the GE DuraStation become a central component of Buffalo Niagara’s clean, green environment,” said Gary Arnott, General Manager of sales and global distribution for GE Energy Industrial Solutions.  “By positioning chargers across the campus, the BNMC now offers a leading example of the importance of a viable, sustainable EV infrastructure.”

For Electric Vehicle owners interested in utilizing BNMC’s new Electric Vehicle Charging Station Network please contact us at 716.854.BNMC to learn more. More information on AAA’s EV Charging Stations is available by  calling AAA Car Care Plus in Clarence at 716.932.3900 or Amherst at 716.362.0562.

Initially, use of the EVSE will be provided at no cost to the public in an effort to foster increased use of battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.  The grant funds for this effort were a part of a $30 million dollar award through NYSERDA and five of the US DOE Clean Cities Organizations in NYS.

About the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus

The Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus is a consortium of the region’s premier health care, life sciences research, and medical education institutions, all located on 120 acres in downtown Buffalo, New York. The BNMC is dedicated to the cultivation of a world-class medical campus for clinical care, research, education, and entrepreneurship. BNMC member institutions are the University at Buffalo, Kaleida Health, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute, Buffalo Medical Group, Buffalo Hearing & Speech Center, Olmsted Center for Sight, Upstate New York Transplant Services, and the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care.

The BNMC has:

  • 4.5 million square feet of existing research, clinical, and support space today, with more than two million square feet currently in development or soon to be underway, equaling an investment of $500 million in public and private funding.
  • 8,500 people working on the Medical Campus today, a number that will rise to nearly 12,000 in the next few years.
  • More than one million patients and visitors annually.
  • Nine major institutions and more than 45 public and private life sciences companies are located on the BNMC.

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