ENGR 100W LAB ASSIGNMENT Dr Thalia Anagnos Objectives of Assignment Demonstrate understanding of the social economic and environmental complexities of implementing a public transportation system Practice business letter writing Background Mario Baratta consultant to the Valley Transportation Authority spoke on Friday March 13 about a number of transportation projects that will affect San Jose These include the California high speed rail BART extension to San Jose Santa Clara county light rail extensions and work improvements to the ACE system He discussed the delicate balancing act associated with these projects because of the complex interaction of economics community needs and environmental protection The list of issues is quite long a few of the issues are increased taxes inflation energy costs rider demand equity of service right of way geologic conditions earthquakes air quality marshland and water crossings construction disruption noise and of course job creation Not all Bay Area residents are supportive of proposed improvements to the public transportation system In particular some residents of the San Francisco Peninsula are very unhappy about the proposed high speed rail Residents are concerned about the choice of route noise aesthetics parking and the power grid Bishop 2009 Sheyner 2009a Sheyner 2009b Assignment The California High Speed Rail Authority is seeking input from residents about issues that should be considered in the Environmental Impact Report EIR for the high speed rail see for example http www redwoodcity org manager news 2009 pr mgr chsr1 html As an informed resident of the Bay Area you would like to participate in this discussion Write a business letter to Dan Leavitt Deputy Director of the California High Speed Rail Authority providing your input Your business letter should include the following an introduction that explains who your are and the purpose and scope of the letter at least three issues you would like to have included in the EIR a concluding section with your overall assessment of the benefits or detriments of the project and contact information if Mr Leavitt would like more information Address Mr Dan Leavitt Deputy Director ATTN San Francisco to San Jose HST Project EIR EIS California High Speed Rail Authority 925 L St Suite 1425 Sacramento CA 95814 Guidelines The assignment must be turned in at the end of this class period and a copy MUST BE TURNED INTO TURNITIN COM if not 5 points Complete the business letter with 12 point Times Roman font 1 1 2 line spacing and 1 inch margins Proofread your document before you print it Submit an electronic copy to Turnitin com Hand in a hard copy Page 1 ENGR 100W LAB ASSIGNMENT Grading Quality of introduction Quality of discussion of EIR issues Quality of conclusion Correct grammar spelling and punctuation memo format Total Dr Thalia Anagnos 3 5 3 4 15 points References Bishop S 2009 March 5 Residents question high speed rail plans Palo Alto Daily News Retrieved March 15 2009 from http www mercurynews com peninsula ci 11841457 Sheyner G 2009a February 20 Not so fast Residents rail against proposed high speed train demand transparency involvement Palo Alto Online News Retrieved March 15 2009 from http www paloaltoonline com news show story php id 11300 Sheyner G 2009b March 3 Palo Alto may sue state high speed rail authority High speed train agency denies city s request to reconsider alternative routes for proposed rail line Palo Alto Weekly Retrieved March 15 2009 from http www almanacnews com news show story php id 3436 Page 2
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