To: Sen. Weiler, T.,
Subject: Re: Livable Communities
Date: 2014-02-05T22:58:53Z
Body:
Thanks, Paulette. I appreciate you contacting me and sharing your views. What is the typical cost for such a conversion?
Todd Weiler
Todd Weiler
801-599-9823
Dear Mr. Weiler,Thank you for your work for Utah citizens.We have significant issues in Utah and you are in a unique position to make a difference in the long term quality of life for Utah's children and grandchildren."The modern America of obesity, inactivity, depression and loss of community has not "happened" to us, rather we legislated, subsidized and planned it." -Making Places HealthyIn Utah, we have obesity, suicide/depression and and horrible air pollution attributed in part, to vehicle emissions. See pages 13 and 134 for information on roundabouts in "Inspiration to Action" and know that converting 4-way intersections to roundabouts can reduce air pollution by 37-57% at each intersection."OUR STREETS ARE MAKING US SICKThe built environment, and especially streets, can affect health and wellbeingby encouraging or discouraging physical activity. Unfortunately, overtime we have designed our communities to give preference to motor vehiclesand to make physically active transportation difficult and in some placesimpossible. Hopping on a bike or walking just isn¹t feasible or safe.Over-reliance on automobiles has created too many unhealthy places andunhealthy people. In many communities, residents are forced to drive tomeet their daily needs because critical services and destinations home,school, work, medical care and shopping are too far apart to access onfoot. Or there are no sidewalks, trails or bike lanes connecting them.The negative effects are real. The country¹s under-investment in sidewalksand other facilities for active transportation‹it makes up only one percentof federal transportation spending‹is reflected in our declining health."Please consider reading the documents referenced below (at least the first). Converting our 4-way intersections to roundabouts can reduce air pollution but legislation, subsidizing and planning for livable communities can change the future quality of life for all citizens in Utah.http://www.ksl.com/?sid=24937434http://le.utah.gov/~2013/bills/hbillenr/hcr002.pdfKind regards,PaulettePaulette Welch, OTD, MAED, OTR/L, DRS, FAOTA801 554 0814 Mobile