tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21673857521983809502024-03-13T06:15:01.886-07:00Old Way of SeeingForest Pearson's Links, References and ProjectsForest Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16193171762364731123noreply@blogger.comBlogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2167385752198380950.post-79946868484908973112024-03-03T17:08:00.000-08:002024-03-03T17:17:19.811-08:00One Year Carbon Neutral<p>With all the talk of "Net Zero" and "Carbon Neutral", I was curious if our family could be carbon neutral*. So I started tracking all our greenhouse gas emissions, including gas for the cars, propane for the stove&bbq, electricity (using <a href="https://yukonenergy.ca/energy-in-yukon/electricity-101/current-energy-consumption/">monthly average emission factors from Yukon Energy</a>) and <a href="https://calculator.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx?tab=3">flying</a>. </p><p>Then, using the money we get back from the carbon rebate (which is currently $372/year, or $279/quarter for our family of 3) to buy carbon offsets each quarter to make us carbon neutral. And the money from the rebate was more than enough to cover the cost of buying offsets. So effectively, it cost us nothing to go carbon neutral. </p><p>Here is how 2023 looked:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cJIdfCDrPWPZg5r-QTG99H4p-daZQPj-zE2sDT6Pyt6aoGXzp6YZPamyc31iw3f1kxABQZSYDWrD-7zZatfVxwpxEFSv1cTrtj3KQj0WPaDRdnPga2Fj5T06IbKhlklcdjOYYXejRQAruNTyiGqVE0OWZ_NXXJSnPv9dxHeijaDW8zcMdwgxSCA0sYl3/s939/2023PearsonCarbon.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="939" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cJIdfCDrPWPZg5r-QTG99H4p-daZQPj-zE2sDT6Pyt6aoGXzp6YZPamyc31iw3f1kxABQZSYDWrD-7zZatfVxwpxEFSv1cTrtj3KQj0WPaDRdnPga2Fj5T06IbKhlklcdjOYYXejRQAruNTyiGqVE0OWZ_NXXJSnPv9dxHeijaDW8zcMdwgxSCA0sYl3/w640-h334/2023PearsonCarbon.JPG" width="640" /> </a></p><p>Buying offsets is always the last resort. First is to reduce as much as possible. Locally, we drive very little and thankfully, our electricity in Yukon is very clean (in 2023 Yukon's grid was 90% renewable, so a bit lower than average). As you can see, our biggest part of our carbon footprint was flying as we had a number of trips outside in 2023. For context on the chart above, I included the per-capita non-mining emissions for three people. This data is from 2021 since Yukon Government lags two years in publishing the annual greenhouse gas emissions report. This is not totally a fair comparison, because it is more than just household emissions, but also includes all of Yukon's emissions, including business and government. </p><p>With respect to buying offsets, that is a bit of a wild west and totally buyer beware. I choose a Canadian company, Planetair, and selected their <a href="https://planetair.ca/en/our-offset-projects/">Planetair Canada-Trees Portfolio</a>. I choose this offset because the offsets are in Canada (I have a bit more confidence than international offsets), it is <a href="https://www.goldstandard.org/about">Gold Standard</a> certified, and it includes additional tree planting as part of it. I figure the tree planting will help create actual removals in addition to the offsets. Who knows, but one just needs to do their homework and do their best. This offset costs $30/tonne, and thus we paid $468 in offsets total. Note we got $1,116 in carbon rebates, so we are still ahead. </p><p>So my conclusion is being carbon neutral is totally do-able. I think we'll keep doing it.</p><p><br /></p><p>*carbon neutral is different than net-zero, see <a href="https://www.sustain.life/blog/difference-between-net-zero-carbon-neutral">https://www.sustain.life/blog/difference-between-net-zero-carbon-neutral</a> for a good discussion of the distinction. <br /></p>Forest Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16193171762364731123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2167385752198380950.post-13060753809050271862024-01-18T07:29:00.000-08:002024-01-18T07:45:30.038-08:002023 - A Year of Bike Infrastructure<p>Although we like to complain about the lack of adequate safe and connected year-round cycling infrastructure in Whitehorse, 2023 did see a number of projects big(ish) and small that really make it a landmark year for cycling infrastructure. Here is my list to top-10 bike projects of 2023:<br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">10. Shark-Teeth at Industrial Rd & Two Mile Hill Intersection<br /></h3><p>This is pretty minor, but the first use of painted "shark teeth" in Yukon: it is to show drivers they need to yield to bikes and pedestrians. It is a common marking used in Netherlands to show who needs to yield. Will it make much of a difference here? Probably not, but nice to see and hopefully this will become the common standard combined with a move to <a href="https://youtu.be/yceHo8VvQbs?si=CH0eHyJ9PlGN96SA">protected intersections</a> (there is a real <a href="https://youtu.be/2rdVsKwPvmc?si=VNhRz45qOycy-SSR">dutch-style protected intersection in Canmore</a> that is pretty interesting to check out - maybe we too can be this progressive).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqIgP-CZTK_FUlcL3k-k9hqn3X8hzFs9T_gkRSipljlwLlvT1OeG6bEQred3IGDKsP4q3Z3mliYy2TMiaexhCf6uZJhtL23V70DZ1x5rkdS81-omP_48az22sSvPKRe4XIqcdHpYu_wDGmzTyg3-_tjMb-7IkmxBadeFyQS2a43vBxu12Lcar9tz-d6PF/s4032/20230910_140150.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqIgP-CZTK_FUlcL3k-k9hqn3X8hzFs9T_gkRSipljlwLlvT1OeG6bEQred3IGDKsP4q3Z3mliYy2TMiaexhCf6uZJhtL23V70DZ1x5rkdS81-omP_48az22sSvPKRe4XIqcdHpYu_wDGmzTyg3-_tjMb-7IkmxBadeFyQS2a43vBxu12Lcar9tz-d6PF/w400-h195/20230910_140150.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">9. 1,000 E-bike Rebates</h3><div style="text-align: left;">Okay, I had to stretch to make 10 items on my list, but I still think this is notable. Government of Yukon this autumn announced they had issued over 1,000 e-bike rebates. Yukon has, as far as I know, the most progressive <a href="https://yukon.ca/en/driving-and-transportation/apply-rebate-when-you-buy-new-electric-bicycle">e-bike rebate program</a> in Canada. I have heard it is Yukon's most successful climate-action inventive program to date, far exceeding the EV rebates. With 1,000 e-bike rebates, that means there is about one e-bike for every 10 households in Whitehorse. Wow! That will drive the need for year-round bike infrastructure that is e-bike suitable. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBU_ypufix6YdEEUnnba9ZZAObyqkCGFEn125lQl9PSdSjKL0UouQmWxdVBgR8_9sODW299ck_KaAQ_Zf2Cd9Hcf-K8B1c2Y663JGVzMOtqj8jQIUfX6vs_ebjCbmXYc18__10OV8IYxxrYWTUluQUFCV-AVa8lPSKRlAIJdGeYt8dtr25-YW6tLfsOpq/s592/ebikes.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="592" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBU_ypufix6YdEEUnnba9ZZAObyqkCGFEn125lQl9PSdSjKL0UouQmWxdVBgR8_9sODW299ck_KaAQ_Zf2Cd9Hcf-K8B1c2Y663JGVzMOtqj8jQIUfX6vs_ebjCbmXYc18__10OV8IYxxrYWTUluQUFCV-AVa8lPSKRlAIJdGeYt8dtr25-YW6tLfsOpq/w400-h381/ebikes.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">8. Buffered Painted Bike Lanes on Lewes Blvd </h3><div style="text-align: left;">This one is just paint, so not much to get too excited about (and we all know on-street bike lanes don't work in winter), but it is nice to see more space being created for bikes (goodness knows our streets have more than enough space!) </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">The painted bike lanes are now officially designated on Lewes Blvd and widened to 1.8 m, plus a 0.3+ m buffer. Unfortunately, YG's line painting crew did the painting, so they are wobbly and confusing as heck. Hopefully they will get re-painted next year and get more established with time. This 1 km of bike lane, combined with the buffered bike lanes on Quartz Rd. and short section on 4th Ave bring a total of modern-width buffered bike lanes to 2.2 km. <br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgghFxEzvjpBah26wnR-9t6sBLM2IkBl1MMCZiqXv04iY4hFFNLhq5ExeP893mY9IPof0rsJYQH4B9223yHPwfOz-cMVvwGYZXO9AaarM7xM9hZpRlPNM2Dh_z7pVFkcwr0QBfiPI2Y9K7UPwEGnc23GxWU_94L82WzLiPQYLmYQpnNLAS4Zhk9bIieXh/s4032/20230910_144600.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgghFxEzvjpBah26wnR-9t6sBLM2IkBl1MMCZiqXv04iY4hFFNLhq5ExeP893mY9IPof0rsJYQH4B9223yHPwfOz-cMVvwGYZXO9AaarM7xM9hZpRlPNM2Dh_z7pVFkcwr0QBfiPI2Y9K7UPwEGnc23GxWU_94L82WzLiPQYLmYQpnNLAS4Zhk9bIieXh/w195-h400/20230910_144600.jpg" width="195" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New buffered painted bike lanes on Lewes Blvd. Note old lines so you can see how the lane has been widened. Also note the sign, which officially designates this as a bike lane. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table></h3><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">7. Track Removals </h3><p>This is bit of small, sleeper project, but again a step in the right direction. The City quietly removed the northern two set of track crossing on the Waterfront Trail. This reduced hazards and increases accessibility. I've heard from some e-bike riders that this really made a difference because these were really rough for the bigger/heavier bike. Two track crossing down, only 8 more to go (counting trail-access points.) </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1jAouwnm9pFzxMIO4QM_t0_bkHghtkg4EJE0suZ-JhoSCqvCrK7Q1iTUQSHn67c5is1brLYY-IEfcmZsljTsJb_dObR4vZcjT76xTO2-nxKTCnQHghVJE4T-dB3AWVeH2xUHQAcz5Nu4lBd85cTLodLFQh-mYiMii2rHLKZB6fw5eXe65YAjMeUR6Rwxq/s2404/20230910_135653.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2404" data-original-width="1960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1jAouwnm9pFzxMIO4QM_t0_bkHghtkg4EJE0suZ-JhoSCqvCrK7Q1iTUQSHn67c5is1brLYY-IEfcmZsljTsJb_dObR4vZcjT76xTO2-nxKTCnQHghVJE4T-dB3AWVeH2xUHQAcz5Nu4lBd85cTLodLFQh-mYiMii2rHLKZB6fw5eXe65YAjMeUR6Rwxq/s320/20230910_135653.jpg" width="261" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVn0PYAgrwE8al5ph7_v3x0pScS51fM1idiknr-HYZtAnf7lDlMOxwMVi0t2ueGiqeZyeQQ1hLJfVV2hGrwgR4K3kYNWsjOndC2JJe-P1BA2rgl1Yx-3ZGvDBKXuSHA80BA3ZStnE_lPPlfzv5pb6ChUdHTAqacpyq8WBH13wUcgP3GrXzSxZf9ewsQVq/s2217/20230910_135627.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2217" data-original-width="1960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVn0PYAgrwE8al5ph7_v3x0pScS51fM1idiknr-HYZtAnf7lDlMOxwMVi0t2ueGiqeZyeQQ1hLJfVV2hGrwgR4K3kYNWsjOndC2JJe-P1BA2rgl1Yx-3ZGvDBKXuSHA80BA3ZStnE_lPPlfzv5pb6ChUdHTAqacpyq8WBH13wUcgP3GrXzSxZf9ewsQVq/s320/20230910_135627.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">6. Lewes Blvd & Alsek Rd. Intersection</h3><div style="text-align: left;">Some improvements were made to the intersection at Lewes Blvd and Alsek Rd. in Riverdale as part of a Yukon Government drainage improvement project for the intersection. Sadly, it seems the City and cycling community was not involved until too late on this project, so its full potential was not realized and the dangerous"pork chop" was retained. However, there are some good, and some "interesting" things:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Quasi-protected island the south side crossing of Lewes Blvd for kids walking to school. This included narrowing the crossing distance.</li><li>Ride-through cuts on the pork-chop so you don't have to ride up-and-over the island</li><li>A sweet bike on-ramp from west-bound Alsek to the north-bound multi-use trail on Lewes Blvd.</li><li>An odd ride-up ramp that direct north-bound cyclists on the bike lane through the intersection and onto the multi-use path. Certainly it makes getting to the path easier with less chicane, but I know folks are worried about pedestrian conflicts. </li></ul><p>So, overall, and improvement, but again, a project falling short of its potential because cyclists were involved too late in the project. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx_8qGDiRCLoXMFpJmkrTTctZUa-Kx58B-nqh7-qPt9nUXdVhLW3AatpZfe9qb5oF8L92tE_3RBV0nA39THRg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /> <p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITO1BQzjAgcoNVoplc8EjK7IYgpq3xtR_9T8ZG4tHiu5xVK6ZsCTqvV91ToTWDI-ohaFkghruIf3d-8JsyZuyqMsbVTkQ_8QTqbEzJafOJNiuFPXGasx-5YTYbWinc1G9z0C5B8jC-WBtFCuyNbqL3CLx3IhJtX7Rm8LClS1NPSBbSyK82rEbfrdiWa84/s4032/20230910_144938.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITO1BQzjAgcoNVoplc8EjK7IYgpq3xtR_9T8ZG4tHiu5xVK6ZsCTqvV91ToTWDI-ohaFkghruIf3d-8JsyZuyqMsbVTkQ_8QTqbEzJafOJNiuFPXGasx-5YTYbWinc1G9z0C5B8jC-WBtFCuyNbqL3CLx3IhJtX7Rm8LClS1NPSBbSyK82rEbfrdiWa84/w400-h195/20230910_144938.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ride-through cut-outs on pork-chop island.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNRvWy_15X_zj5fxepGfBIFMC9mBfjYA-VYVSskuFqdnp66NKRvKhGguhDbjkuYhBsUoWJYW-qkvSLq6wyMSfP4vrSu1Zcj_zaoxGK7CRJYWLNYTiS8xfLp8OEcOgsgEoWpt_P0j-ahN5wOv1iToWKubBiAnor5QQ5aNc_KS0eMuPsDyY-iTpJ5yXJzye/s4032/20230910_144959.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNRvWy_15X_zj5fxepGfBIFMC9mBfjYA-VYVSskuFqdnp66NKRvKhGguhDbjkuYhBsUoWJYW-qkvSLq6wyMSfP4vrSu1Zcj_zaoxGK7CRJYWLNYTiS8xfLp8OEcOgsgEoWpt_P0j-ahN5wOv1iToWKubBiAnor5QQ5aNc_KS0eMuPsDyY-iTpJ5yXJzye/w195-h400/20230910_144959.jpg" width="195" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet bike path "on-ramp" from Alsek Rd.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p></div><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">5. Raised Intersection on Two Mile Hill & Canadian Tire<br /></h3><p>Another small project - the City originally had this designed in 2018 and only took 5 years to get built! It is straightening out of the silly intersections along 2-Mile Hill. This one being the north entrance of Canadian Tire: the trail was straightened and the intersection raised so the bike path goes straight through. The idea is to show cars that bikes & pedestrians have the right of way (note the stop sign is behind the crossing). I think the raised "hump" is too smooth for cars to really notice. The raised intersection at Black St. & 7th is a better example. </p><p>This upgrade also starts to implement some Protected Intersection design elements such tightening the curb radius and keeping the bike path back from the intersection to create a "yield-zone" between the parallel roadway and the path crossing (in this case, only about 4 m). This gives drivers a space to yield if they make a mistake and don't see a bike coming. These elements aim to slow down cars through the crossing, and thus reduce the consequences of mistakes (because as humans, we all make mistakes.)<br /></p><p>None the less, nice to finally see this done. One crappy intersection down, only 5 more to go on the Two-Mile Hill path. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5isb8UwXr3RUM8__hUEaTpOkxZ2CgS7aq6hySvRqiUhdNSmz23QejpycdgMfzIStNZsVaBPDlMUyc6QURkRZKXX1nz0UQoFKqRv-6SJ9Y1DrGzY9h8l6Ur9rbfrQSaOmZgghcn0LpX34NLaDR1285LO48UqueLNnQONV3M4-zwocSnHF2mTq5i_IKfGPn/s4032/20230910_140015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5isb8UwXr3RUM8__hUEaTpOkxZ2CgS7aq6hySvRqiUhdNSmz23QejpycdgMfzIStNZsVaBPDlMUyc6QURkRZKXX1nz0UQoFKqRv-6SJ9Y1DrGzY9h8l6Ur9rbfrQSaOmZgghcn0LpX34NLaDR1285LO48UqueLNnQONV3M4-zwocSnHF2mTq5i_IKfGPn/w400-h195/20230910_140015.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">4. Completing Range Rd South Multi-Use Path</h2><p>A project of epic duration! Yukon Government started the muti-use path along Range Road south back in 2019, building just the south half, then abandoning the remainder, leaving it unfinished. The City picked up the work in 2021, had it extended northward some, but then were delayed two years completing it due to a conflicting lift-station project. Then, hallelujah, in late 2023, the path was finished! It is almost 900 m of new multi-use path that consists of a cool Y-shaped split that connects northward along the Alaska Highway as well as continues along Range Road to Two-Mile Hill. It included narrowing the entrances to Canada Post by a bit to make the crossings safer for bikes. </p><p>A notable feature is this path included planning for drainage - it is elevated and has ditching on both sides - a first for a multi-use path in Whitehorse!<br /></p><p>I quite like the western leg that goes along the Alaska Highway because it winds through the trees near Canada Post. This City has been doing a great job of maintaining this path through the winter, so it is great to finally have a safe, year-round connection along Range Road south all the way to the Airport path and Hillcrest. <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmTzBvRIhsNQI4RoVfG8XUC8rXv_Aizhd0JP9C2KT0sRXhXC6K9Kee4Qlr34en5g9lId8wnpEYEuRBMcZtXBPvN2oPqG5ce6hujHKAZ3B07tJnUWlfQtj6xi9OiMw-7-vikkOg1RWuCW34cwh3AiZWC0RYygbxiGwBU1ZuP5ZSJYiFF0udwkm0-aCbl1_/s4032/20230910_141107.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmTzBvRIhsNQI4RoVfG8XUC8rXv_Aizhd0JP9C2KT0sRXhXC6K9Kee4Qlr34en5g9lId8wnpEYEuRBMcZtXBPvN2oPqG5ce6hujHKAZ3B07tJnUWlfQtj6xi9OiMw-7-vikkOg1RWuCW34cwh3AiZWC0RYygbxiGwBU1ZuP5ZSJYiFF0udwkm0-aCbl1_/w195-h400/20230910_141107.jpg" width="195" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_d_-YYF88LBrbroenxRmaKvL-jeh5HWLLRasuMPzcY6pksr-DhcSa_CwDmoT5G8RT7yT9Sahd8eAYSQTSGqJh-78LYLg5GWOqw_9veNAxnreXE1Dhc3nHH7KdY6dTn9iDk0memurV6fXSQ6fiAoHSAMlYPGkTvCWOs0HQ56suqbRgEBH_839Nd5j67bvl/s4032/20230910_141208.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_d_-YYF88LBrbroenxRmaKvL-jeh5HWLLRasuMPzcY6pksr-DhcSa_CwDmoT5G8RT7yT9Sahd8eAYSQTSGqJh-78LYLg5GWOqw_9veNAxnreXE1Dhc3nHH7KdY6dTn9iDk0memurV6fXSQ6fiAoHSAMlYPGkTvCWOs0HQ56suqbRgEBH_839Nd5j67bvl/w400-h195/20230910_141208.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Path split, looking northward. To the left continues along the Alaska Highway. I took this picture just as they were wrapping up paving of the remaining northward leg on Range Road, hence the barrier. It is now open.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvJkl8hYAyyPM7JeShAMhD9EkSXRlYvU-kPEO7B7XWP7lZsf241HD4Pv9GhnbrNi9fp1nf2Ui3iKXiztUhTHt9jbGDXS4ioVMmMttZRCQEpcZXnZ9OfZxRiI4os3_FSLTusEHhrz9ch_upEGuipi59tJDxrKRwlSAEWkcOkaKoKQRn8J9SwgmlLguw70S/s2048/353445532_10159138986497155_7118339196123430802_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvJkl8hYAyyPM7JeShAMhD9EkSXRlYvU-kPEO7B7XWP7lZsf241HD4Pv9GhnbrNi9fp1nf2Ui3iKXiztUhTHt9jbGDXS4ioVMmMttZRCQEpcZXnZ9OfZxRiI4os3_FSLTusEHhrz9ch_upEGuipi59tJDxrKRwlSAEWkcOkaKoKQRn8J9SwgmlLguw70S/w400-h400/353445532_10159138986497155_7118339196123430802_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice view of the drainage considerations give to this trail. Note in distance the "after-the-fact" trail connection to the City's own Operations Building that was originally forgotten. Oops. (Photo credit: Sheryl Polachic)<span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u x1yc453h" dir="auto"></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> 3. Removal of the Deathly Boardwalk </h3><p>This again is a small, simple project that has taken almost a decade to get completed: removal of the deadly wooden decking crossing the tracks on the Waterfront Trail behind Yukon Government main administration building. There have been enumerable cyclists accidents on this wooden decking that got slick in the autumn, including several hospitalizations and broken bones. This had being going on for years, Yukon Government was fully aware of it and did nothing meaningful to protect people's safety. It finally took a meeting with the Minister of Highways and Public Works to weigh in and get this dangerous section of trail fixed. </p><p>For some unknown reason, the tracks were left in place and the trail retains the ridiculous chicane through this section. Again, project expenditure that falls short of the opportunity because cyclists were not involved in the solution.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPnoJ970HEydqkr4uCcE6RQXEjw6Jow-3vRFNu3H308L0IUKNn29WRM-o-D8qH9fT61FIxEp3mML0ETJjrb7ZXfJqesRQGSVHNXnxSc3fPUzoUOv38K2OakuFN_XakQBhP3b33xhxTSOx5WoxYSQN82vIiSfksc4RdOAyZr4I3VUizF2uVPlGgGDHqwHS/s2048/384802631_641679721418661_749266477397871413_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPnoJ970HEydqkr4uCcE6RQXEjw6Jow-3vRFNu3H308L0IUKNn29WRM-o-D8qH9fT61FIxEp3mML0ETJjrb7ZXfJqesRQGSVHNXnxSc3fPUzoUOv38K2OakuFN_XakQBhP3b33xhxTSOx5WoxYSQN82vIiSfksc4RdOAyZr4I3VUizF2uVPlGgGDHqwHS/s2048/384802631_641679721418661_749266477397871413_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEO7TM5zITVJhaDG4uzX7ZepxB8qo6Op8k_O3QBgrnxACIY7FzYHN6Ju-5-aGsHPBrHcXyPovU7TK3UzrO-Yq1oDHwHZkAwv9RFusMaaY5wfvkzoV0F0TXOFzR4BKfYTDkv9-0zqzt_SPKDWRUHX2Ofua3ZVYRa5cuChLnM_sLbt371lLLT8XRiJg4Bkkh/s2048/385096536_641679458085354_1240648322831657546_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEO7TM5zITVJhaDG4uzX7ZepxB8qo6Op8k_O3QBgrnxACIY7FzYHN6Ju-5-aGsHPBrHcXyPovU7TK3UzrO-Yq1oDHwHZkAwv9RFusMaaY5wfvkzoV0F0TXOFzR4BKfYTDkv9-0zqzt_SPKDWRUHX2Ofua3ZVYRa5cuChLnM_sLbt371lLLT8XRiJg4Bkkh/w400-h300/385096536_641679458085354_1240648322831657546_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The deadly wooden decking before being replaced. Here with tokenism "grippy paint" applied for a year or two. (Photo credit: Yukon Highways and Public Works)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSv2lN7RROJV0AcMphFCUOaExvGXF5OHStWuR0ylTE0Zv1Qye0KWQnybhIYedSzRLwQ-XwGe0Aco5y37I-xTX3A7y-_SU8b_dEwRMpemr_2NhV78ORaSXDKF7HHWjXOLLkxD_uEF2QAuB3swk-wwW2tA1ff5nnz8rE6YLMdms-D4g0HAT19WFpgVpayT4J/s2048/377781664_10160984357612480_4635415901937830099_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSv2lN7RROJV0AcMphFCUOaExvGXF5OHStWuR0ylTE0Zv1Qye0KWQnybhIYedSzRLwQ-XwGe0Aco5y37I-xTX3A7y-_SU8b_dEwRMpemr_2NhV78ORaSXDKF7HHWjXOLLkxD_uEF2QAuB3swk-wwW2tA1ff5nnz8rE6YLMdms-D4g0HAT19WFpgVpayT4J/w400-h300/377781664_10160984357612480_4635415901937830099_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wooden decking replaced with asphalt. Strangely, YG forgot to take out
the tracks, so some hazard remains. (Photo credit: Lewis Rifkind)</td></tr></tbody></table></div><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">2. Alaska Highway South Multi-Use Path</h3><p>The 2.6 km extension of the of the paved multi-use path from the airport to Robert Service Way has at least been one positive outcome from the millions spent on Alaska Highway widening project. Although I would not have put this project on my "priority" list, I must confess it is a real pleasure to ride. It is surprising how much quiet it along the path, even though it is just adjacent the highway. And it is so nice as a recreational riding linkage that you can now ride all the way from Robert Service Way to Two Mile Hill, a 5.8 km distance, totally separated from road traffic.</p><p>As nice as it is, it does fall just short of meeting the All Ages and Abilities standard due to some excessively steep grades, unnecessary hills (although not much of a problem) and lack of Protected Intersections. It also suffered from drainage problems (a highway culvert dumps its water on the path, washing out the path) and a dead-end at the Robert Service Way pork-chop. This last problem was quickly rectified thankfully. </p><p>Overall, an unexpectedly pleasant addition to the active transportation network in Whitehorse. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJnq7mjI_xE1X7CpBPakdRDQeecSDXXe4u8mSAt3NXwu7d91fehJdVn68yCf3Uz_US6PzdMtJh2Tqfo9ZwK7ApH1NfUp89Tyezx9BZ_kvgqdA46YYJ4-CMaNc2hAiPcuLyPLWeEayW4TZbvXJMKBELAkjVPfD7OqS3EOG1Jnyvf8vf3OJLMhOjboMTOT-u/s2685/20230910_143021.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2685" data-original-width="1960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJnq7mjI_xE1X7CpBPakdRDQeecSDXXe4u8mSAt3NXwu7d91fehJdVn68yCf3Uz_US6PzdMtJh2Tqfo9ZwK7ApH1NfUp89Tyezx9BZ_kvgqdA46YYJ4-CMaNc2hAiPcuLyPLWeEayW4TZbvXJMKBELAkjVPfD7OqS3EOG1Jnyvf8vf3OJLMhOjboMTOT-u/s320/20230910_143021.jpg" width="234" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNcHUyfZXF-WscIFa4fz8oQkqJsl_i8IbafMi-LZlk5Tr-mZ1Qp6aEd113hG58dFKNa4eftDrnRRBh0Vgco5d6cm5i9x6KxIZuapNdQqut3JeviMZLH_VSKHx1aA_Iq314nCy_uSXJKH86HMkV95QID59d955-e-ntJQk502L2eV_BKLO74pwwJKa1JcPx/s4032/20230910_142341.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNcHUyfZXF-WscIFa4fz8oQkqJsl_i8IbafMi-LZlk5Tr-mZ1Qp6aEd113hG58dFKNa4eftDrnRRBh0Vgco5d6cm5i9x6KxIZuapNdQqut3JeviMZLH_VSKHx1aA_Iq314nCy_uSXJKH86HMkV95QID59d955-e-ntJQk502L2eV_BKLO74pwwJKa1JcPx/w195-h400/20230910_142341.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="195" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Section of trail with steep grades exceeding AAA standard. Too bad, there is space here that more gentle grades could have be made. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OM6_D71a4fCbMVkx-vtMyemWK8jh4CvBbOKHHyf_BbRAlCQAIQUEJpQbwQzUCybsxQO_3hgNC8bcrnkq7dHH2zT275DMXzBpEqa4vJJQVMUowRVst9G0zU6-w0FOubwX68j8LHrAPt65eMWapv2L66TdYgH_byFS_OJLvhKt94nF-4jiILxFYERvtmu2/s4032/20230910_142523.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OM6_D71a4fCbMVkx-vtMyemWK8jh4CvBbOKHHyf_BbRAlCQAIQUEJpQbwQzUCybsxQO_3hgNC8bcrnkq7dHH2zT275DMXzBpEqa4vJJQVMUowRVst9G0zU6-w0FOubwX68j8LHrAPt65eMWapv2L66TdYgH_byFS_OJLvhKt94nF-4jiILxFYERvtmu2/w400-h195/20230910_142523.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ill planned drainage woes. Even though the lower culvert has been installed, the water is still running down the west side and washing out the trail further down. It will be interesting to see what happens this spring. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXWqMhNN3GV3DnYV5N2cmd2NPRGtVpjR7BRw6pO_Lx4aCfBTSXtb_xv1qAjJ2OxX8SVbv6zY7rqtwWmAELDageFvKkfqZw4Vv5M7mwYSvDh7G88e32Kz819H3cNQfllkzd34ws9TzqX5WTswrYT-oeGhyphenhyphenJoSE3bGNW_68JlJAk1vKttiJPwoIzFnQ-xHm/s2152/20230910_143101.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2152" data-original-width="1960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXWqMhNN3GV3DnYV5N2cmd2NPRGtVpjR7BRw6pO_Lx4aCfBTSXtb_xv1qAjJ2OxX8SVbv6zY7rqtwWmAELDageFvKkfqZw4Vv5M7mwYSvDh7G88e32Kz819H3cNQfllkzd34ws9TzqX5WTswrYT-oeGhyphenhyphenJoSE3bGNW_68JlJAk1vKttiJPwoIzFnQ-xHm/w364-h400/20230910_143101.jpg" width="364" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Location of the initial embarrassing "dead-end" at the south end of the path that was posthumously, but promptly, fixed. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">1. Chilkoot Way Cycle Track</h3><p>#1 on on my 2023 new bike infrastructure list, love it or hate it, is the new, longly awaited Chilkoot Way cycle track*. This project, known by some as "The Gap," was identified as one of the top priority projects during consultation on the development of the City's <a href="https://www.whitehorse.ca/whitehorse_project/bicycle-network-plan/">2018 Bicycle Network Plan</a>. Then late 2019 a delegation of youth petitioned City Council to give them a safe way to bike to school, and their petition garnered over 2000 signatures.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsptMEcBwS-0FfXExdMJRsXLVXF-3XFPgXr4wn6DSlJiAebKhIriCN5p3E4jXKPCKqS5MFvN6u9j_Ygoe1RxqqwuD0bvXyJWHP8-bJOqUk5fPFDK4vd8lgQsRt4f3sN5a8a-rqAL3O3ud2Y-L3M3hCbFGzHUa4MRCqsqsM5jxMj_Kpdzp_rTD934IHbtV/s652/kidsbiketoschool.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="449" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsptMEcBwS-0FfXExdMJRsXLVXF-3XFPgXr4wn6DSlJiAebKhIriCN5p3E4jXKPCKqS5MFvN6u9j_Ygoe1RxqqwuD0bvXyJWHP8-bJOqUk5fPFDK4vd8lgQsRt4f3sN5a8a-rqAL3O3ud2Y-L3M3hCbFGzHUa4MRCqsqsM5jxMj_Kpdzp_rTD934IHbtV/s320/kidsbiketoschool.JPG" width="220" /></a></div><p>The City subsequently proposed a fully separated, multi-use path along Chilkoot Way between the Waterfront Trail (Quartz Rd.) and Two Mile Hill. There were several potential routing option, with many commuters from up the hill preferring a more separated route passing behind Canadian Tire & Walmart which would avoid the multiple intersection crossings. On the flip-side, a route on Chilkoot Way provided greater network connectivity as it links to the crossing lights on Two-Mile Hill and Quartz Road, enabling connections to the rest of downtown. And although not as good for through-commuters, the Chilkoot Way route provides connectivity to amenities such as the grocery store and post office. There is no one-best solution, and in my view, we should have both routes one day. <br /></p><p>Unfortunately, several years passed with nothing getting done on this project, including the City missing the opportunity for 100% federal funding to build this during the pandemic years. The years slipped away and those kids who just wanted a safe way to bike to school grew up and became drivers. The City finally decided to do a "quick build" pilot project so they could get something built in 2023. </p><p>I use quotes around "Quick-Build" as it turned out to be anything but quickly built. The City is at the mercy of the contracting industry and because of the current demand have a hard time even getting bids on such projects. The cycle lane got build in stages with the paint going down in early August, but no barriers or signs till the winter (barriers put in October, signage finally put up in November!) As of this time, the project remain unfinished with the curb cuts remaining to be done, including fixing the awkward to/from the Two Mile Hill bike path. This caused no end of confusion and controversy. It even sparked bikelash with a small petition and delegation to Council asking for the bikes lanes to be removed. Thankfully, Council did the right thing, with they Mayor making some statements:</p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><i>"What we're doing here on Chilkoot Way is happening all over the
country, has happened in Europe for years and years and years," Cabott
said. "So it is new to the city of Whitehorse and the residents and I
accept that... Change can be difficult and we want to try and implement
this in a way that works for people, but this is the way of the future." </i>(<a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/whitehorse-bike-lane-project-1.6978599">Yukon News, Sept. 26, 2023</a>)<i><br /></i></p><p>The bi-directional cycle track is new to the Yukon, but has been used extensively elsewhere in Canada. The Chilkoot Way design conforms with what is typically done for these facilities. But you do need to use it with your heads up as there are multiple conflict points and motorists do not expect bikes coming from two directions, which is one of the problems with these bi-directional facilities. </p><p>So this important link is not without controversy. It is not how I would have to have seen it done, but I am happy there is something there. You do have use it with caution, watching for traffic, but it is certainly better than riding on the road unprotected. And in winter, it has been clean and beautiful, generally free of snirt. And from the tracks I see, it does seem to be getting heavy usage all winter long. <br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3SB2EL7MTBzVGiozD1hyphenhyphenaQlO3KdX_-KklEPEZhFbUVwXA2v353Pz1AGn9hyb-u5jlm8dS7CenWOlauYel5S4zqZrDktoRU7RMPJwnttM06-okIV1b_CJ7SHDTws2B3beKBkjcvnw_AZV3H3jsoeIICobSuTTczg5ItqKh9PT_qZg-ZjKqDbO_J8b3gUe/s4032/20231118_173500.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3SB2EL7MTBzVGiozD1hyphenhyphenaQlO3KdX_-KklEPEZhFbUVwXA2v353Pz1AGn9hyb-u5jlm8dS7CenWOlauYel5S4zqZrDktoRU7RMPJwnttM06-okIV1b_CJ7SHDTws2B3beKBkjcvnw_AZV3H3jsoeIICobSuTTczg5ItqKh9PT_qZg-ZjKqDbO_J8b3gUe/s320/20231118_173500.jpg" width="156" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By mid-November, signage and barriers were finally in place.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqeXVXgabxNUC8gqwya7HBxtnLbsXhyphenhyphenaD3NjTiukmzZ8_4xlrIgMF9RECXUbSZPRoLXWspBwclVGnjAQF6ADRisBbes-msMieUt01sn8K1MjOHx9kRHpAZGJTDkThRuM55LuVBA5DckGN-9KjgIkgMc9tM7uwU4oJr2-RKNAO-mZgsiChvjayWskLn-VC/s4032/20240109_171942.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqeXVXgabxNUC8gqwya7HBxtnLbsXhyphenhyphenaD3NjTiukmzZ8_4xlrIgMF9RECXUbSZPRoLXWspBwclVGnjAQF6ADRisBbes-msMieUt01sn8K1MjOHx9kRHpAZGJTDkThRuM55LuVBA5DckGN-9KjgIkgMc9tM7uwU4oJr2-RKNAO-mZgsiChvjayWskLn-VC/s320/20240109_171942.jpg" width="156" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just hours after a snowfall, the cycle-track is already plowed and there are numerous bike tracks. Looks like someone is using it!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>* a cycle track is a on-street bike lane that is physically separated from traffic.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">New Year Bonus: Winter Maintenance to Hamilton Blvd Trail and All Season Access to Canada Games Centre<br /></h3><p>To start off 2024 on a good note, have a bonus time to add to the list: winter maintenance of the Hamilton Blvd motorized multi-use trail. This 4.6 km trail that runs from the Alaska Highway, provides active transportation access to the Canada Games Centre is the only trail serving over 25% of Whitehorse's population. This trail provides access for motorized recreationalists to Whitehorse motorized trail network. The City has relied on volunteer labour of the Klondike Snowmobile Association to maintain the trail in the winter, but historically they have just packed the trails for snow machines and thus it was not usable by other uses.</p><p>In winter 2022/23 the City demonstrated they have the ability to do winter multi-use trail maintenance that is usable by all users, including snowmachines. This means leaving a bit of packed snow base and not graveling the trail. Ironically, this actually results in a better winter surface for biking too.</p><p>Based on this success, Whitehorse Urban Cycling Coalition, Cycling Association of Yukon and Klondike Snowmobile Association developed an interim winter maintenance proposal and delivered this solution to the City. It calls for the City to maintain the Hamilton Blvd trail by plowing, but leaving packed snow so both snowmachines and active transportation users can both use the trail. In the 2023 operating budget the City got additional funding for winter maintenance and thus we are waiting for the City to fully take on this service. In the meantime, KSA has stepped up to backstop the City, to the best of their ability, to plow the trail. To date, thanks to their volunteer effort, the trail has been in very good shape and is regularly usable for all winter users.</p><p>The exciting this is this year is the first year in 18-year history of the Canada Game Centre facility that it has been accessible in winter by active transportation. Since the accessible winter maintenance has started this winter, there has been a significant increase in walkers and cyclists using the path in winter.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCO1J9nDOB5NHXJm8DSM2_4sHQ37bXIjrfNWnwQU2hJdFFPZYg6NqrC5FNyagfo53QI0D9Svk6GUI6AK1LbmZlC-OQRiaDNpRVtXlhOfMrwv9hjBb6rrdrhndmVJVybG_aCuvnO_Oe89p5Q_RWB4c5vaG4PSlWD_RveATDC0AFipiSfCmzVq-Or19ahyj/s2048/410867306_10161166775142480_1965215713566062587_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCO1J9nDOB5NHXJm8DSM2_4sHQ37bXIjrfNWnwQU2hJdFFPZYg6NqrC5FNyagfo53QI0D9Svk6GUI6AK1LbmZlC-OQRiaDNpRVtXlhOfMrwv9hjBb6rrdrhndmVJVybG_aCuvnO_Oe89p5Q_RWB4c5vaG4PSlWD_RveATDC0AFipiSfCmzVq-Or19ahyj/w300-h400/410867306_10161166775142480_1965215713566062587_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_CJOkKJQN-D7iTV7iIhp5rPHKr6hnJcGd7Rgu43eDo2o8t-4BBNbCdsSqBwVIMKqvN1KptuEBC8hoE9omgPSBKsjCDtqEIYbVsH0Z1uZxydEncCGAJPbEY2rkWaNFNfTT5i1X7n9Yu1OM1FNz_lDA1rpLHgzvMHMUhz4IWv7jiK2jIbMNDzcULMRzrty/s2048/415277687_1437806443615634_3989916856375185577_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_CJOkKJQN-D7iTV7iIhp5rPHKr6hnJcGd7Rgu43eDo2o8t-4BBNbCdsSqBwVIMKqvN1KptuEBC8hoE9omgPSBKsjCDtqEIYbVsH0Z1uZxydEncCGAJPbEY2rkWaNFNfTT5i1X7n9Yu1OM1FNz_lDA1rpLHgzvMHMUhz4IWv7jiK2jIbMNDzcULMRzrty/w300-h400/415277687_1437806443615634_3989916856375185577_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdnWXt9NPAYetFcwEVHDH6g0lwdqI1_YJGUQSu9nk4w4DfRoCHb0wvx4xvsu3NM_ItECrBSD2uYRetqZ3HbD4sVKmvtSkJv1SkDqF8FIm3kpFg4bkFZWULBr5XLv0Icl4EP2qFEUQzOVL3tO97HaLKQ__Yuj1fZ9skylHl3W4EWTh9N4xUPen3ICJiGbf/s2048/414113370_10161184803337480_8526970307525811057_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdnWXt9NPAYetFcwEVHDH6g0lwdqI1_YJGUQSu9nk4w4DfRoCHb0wvx4xvsu3NM_ItECrBSD2uYRetqZ3HbD4sVKmvtSkJv1SkDqF8FIm3kpFg4bkFZWULBr5XLv0Icl4EP2qFEUQzOVL3tO97HaLKQ__Yuj1fZ9skylHl3W4EWTh9N4xUPen3ICJiGbf/s320/414113370_10161184803337480_8526970307525811057_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmnAP6LXsusFLc6cUeA9YPGp2PZCEfHuoKrOPqDu2hjJlmvmCCthImzy_KhS_8xkxsYt3gdFxrFS3pLBibFsl2NtynS6rtloswHe0rXyIEhkrHlOOJZ7OY55QBciU1G-RCIP9PUbauEszKtUE4lmu_0nGz2T3n7L_-CuEvJywZMZZgw_8Mn4bWYcNsWqw1/s2048/415239503_1437806433615635_5126735523177747371_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmnAP6LXsusFLc6cUeA9YPGp2PZCEfHuoKrOPqDu2hjJlmvmCCthImzy_KhS_8xkxsYt3gdFxrFS3pLBibFsl2NtynS6rtloswHe0rXyIEhkrHlOOJZ7OY55QBciU1G-RCIP9PUbauEszKtUE4lmu_0nGz2T3n7L_-CuEvJywZMZZgw_8Mn4bWYcNsWqw1/w300-h400/415239503_1437806433615635_5126735523177747371_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p>Forest Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16193171762364731123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2167385752198380950.post-43880661874518341882023-11-19T20:32:00.000-08:002023-11-19T21:10:52.654-08:00Whitehorse's Rail Trails<p>Many dream of the day when the White Pass & Yukon Route tracks through to Carcross can be converted to a multi-use rail trail. At least let's get the Riverfront Railtrail through downtown built! Rail trails are abandoned railways that are converted to recreational and active commuter trails. They are wonderful.</p><p>But I realized there are already a number of "rail trails" in Whitehorse already. Here is a map of the intermittent pieces and a description of each of them: </p><p><iframe height="480" src="https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/embed?mid=1lrUqst3QhQA4OFRFDypxWcTAyMKyzds&ehbc=2E312F" width="640"></iframe>
</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">1. White Pass & Yukon Route</h3><p>Two short sections of abandoned rail grade have had the track removed and can be used for biking and walking (shown in <span style="color: #f1c232;"><b>yellow </b></span>on the map)<br /></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Utah </b>- this is my favorite piece of rail trail. It is a 1.5 km long piece extending south from Miles Canyon Road with great views of Miles Canyon and a convenient connection south to the American Laundry road at MacRae. It was abandoned in the 1960's because of a landslide as the land moved down towards the Yukon River just upstream of the canyon. The track was rerouted further west closer to the highway where it is today. </li><li><b>Marwell Spur</b> - the railway was extended from downtown northward to service the building of the refinery in Marwell during the war. The old railway grade makes a nice path along the river, extending north from Chikoot Way to behind the grader station, where it dead-ends at a fence. The tracks used to extend a bit further, but that lies on the North 60 Petro property now. 600 m of it are accessible today.<br /></li></ol><h3 style="text-align: left;">2. Macauley Tramway</h3><div style="text-align: left;">This is probably the oldest "rail trail" in Whitehorse and is remnants of the horse drawn log-tramway that portaged boats around Miles Canyon and the White Horse Rapids. Parallel "humps" where the log rails were can be see today bordering the trail. It remains in two portions (shown in <b><span style="color: #04ff00;">green </span></b>on the map), with the middle section submerged under Schwatka Lake when the dam was built:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><b>South Portion</b> - extending 2.5 km from Canyon City in the south to where it dives under the lake at the north end near the Sckwatka Lake boat launch. Today it is used as the Red and portions of the Yellow ski trail as part of the Chadburn Lake ski trail network.</li><li><b>North Portion</b> - extending 2.1 km from the dam to almost the Robert Campbell bridge in Riverdale (behind FH Collins). Much of this section has been paved over for the Millennium Trail, but at the northern end, in the forest behind the school, the straight alignment with twin rail-humps can still be found <br /></li></ol></div><div style="text-align: left;"><h3 style="text-align: left;">3. Hepburn Tramway</h3><div style="text-align: left;">This is the second gold rush era tramway, but built on the west side of the river. Not many people know about this trail, although the Yukon River Trail Marathon route follows the north end of it as a "goat trail" cut into the hillside above Miles Canyon and Schwatka Lake. The route is well documented by Peter Long in his publication <a href="https://www.whitehorsewalks.com/_docs/2017/TheHepburnTramway.pdf" target="_new">Forgotten Trails, walking the Hepburn Tramway</a> (and thanks to Peter for providing the mapping data.)<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">About 4.2 km of this tramway can be followed (shown on <b><span style="color: red;">red </span></b>on the map), although only the the southern part can be mountain biked, where the rest is mostly a footpath and does require some scrabbling at points. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><h3 style="text-align: left;">4. Copper Mines Branch</h3></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is the longest "rail trail" in Whitehorse, and is an abandoned 18 km long branch line (shown in <span style="color: #ffa400;"><b>orange </b></span>on the map) that was built to service the Whitehorse Copper Belt. During the 1960's era mining of the copper belt, most of the rail grade was re-built as the Copper Haul Road. Knowing this was once a rail grade explains its gentle grades and broad curves. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">The Copper Mines Branch has been well documented recently in Eric Johnson's 2017 book "<a href="https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/copper-mines-branch-white-pass-rails-into-the-whitehorse-copper-belt/9780968197639.html">Copper Mines Branch: White Pass Rails to the Whitehorse Copper Belt</a>" and on Tim Green's website: <a href="https://then.timmit.ca/projects/cmbranch/index.shtml">https://then.timmit.ca/projects/cmbranch/index.shtml</a>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><b>South portion</b> - 750 m piece of trail in the Whitehorse Copper subdivision. The start of the branch in occupied by private property, but you can get on the public portion at Esker Dr and follow it till it runs into the fence of an industrial property. There is some interpretative signage is found here. <br /></li><li><b>Middle-south portion</b> - another 500 m segment of the rail grade can be found north of the industrial properties off of Collins Lane. It is a bit hard to get to, but interesting. Sadly, it is a dead end to the north where the bridges crossing the lakes and swamps are gone. But fun to find the old bridge abutments</li><li><b>North portion</b> - 12.3 km of "rail trail", now mostly the Copper Haul Road extending from the Whitehorse Copper mine north to reach almost to the former Peublo Mine (now Icy Waters fish farm) on the Fish Lake Road. Most of this route is a road, but there are two short sections of the old railway grade that can be found along the way. </li></ol><p> Here are my pictures from running the length of the Copper Branch with by friend Brent a couple of years ago: <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/forest_georgi_finn/albums/72157715960444698" title="Copper Mines Branch"><img alt="Copper Mines Branch" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50339412281_a3fba8c3b4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> <br /></p><p>Enjoy! <br /></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><p> </p>Forest Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16193171762364731123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2167385752198380950.post-76631969624191378582023-02-01T20:17:00.008-08:002023-02-01T20:40:40.831-08:00Riding from Whistle Bend<p>I've been hearing a lot of discussion about riding to/from Whistle Bend, plus perception of traffic problems with getting from Whistle Bend. So, I put some thought on what might be the best way to get there if we wanted to invest in active transportation infrastructure so people can get between downtown and Whistle Bend safely and comfortably by bike, or better yet, by e-bike!</p><p>I don't live in Whistle Bend, nor do I bike there often, so I really don't know much. But hey, lack of knowledge has never stopped people from expressing their opinion on the Internet! So here we go...</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Routes:</h3><p>I looked at four routes to/from Whistle Bend to a common point to downtown. To make a fair comparison, I chose the top of 2-Mile Hill (as opposed to going down Mt.View Drive/Copper Rd., you will see why). The image below shows the routes, plus the distance and total climb if riding south from Whistle Bend to 2-Mile Hill. These routes are:</p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><u><b>Route C: McIntyre Creek</b></u> - assume a protected path up Whistle Bend Way to the roundabout, then a paved multi-use path connecting along the powerline/waterline to the Porter Creek trail crossing McIntyre Creek. I assumed the path would be optimized south of there to avoid the gratuitous hill to Takhini, instead following the natural, less hilly route along University Drive to Takhini.</li><li><u><b>Route M: Mountain View Drive</b></u> - similar to Route C, assume a protected path up Whistle Bend Way to the roundabout, then a separated, protected path along east side Mountain View all the way to Range Rd.* From there, following the protected cycleway along Range Rd to 2 Mile Hill.</li><li><u><b>Route D: Direct Route</b></u> - this is the creative route: build a direct, paved, lit, multi-use path linking Range Road at Whistle Bend to Mountain View Drive, thereby avoiding the hill with a nice gentle downhill through the forest! Then follow a separated, protected path along east side Mountain View all the way to
Range Rd.* From there, following the protected cycleway along Range Rd
to 2 Mile Hill.</li><li><u><b>Route R: Range Road</b></u><i><b> </b></i>- assume a protected path built along the west side of Range Road, all the way to its crossing of Mountain View Drive*. From there, following the protected cycleway along Range Rd
to 2 Mile Hill.</li></ul><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnGKgV5OzI-506oc0BEpgH7SzRV-9GE4kSR8qsMvrtuIzQjwXkzBA7VKx2EU6f0Y7BROxf9zZBgJ5n7-j2VVV-nTd5yiYluDnMMoLbCidDmmcjcgUwFypnguxg7fUUhRN3tH6BX-A7t2VunsjQuMVw48GbTHehjVHQU3grroMlgRutFC9yGP7nXJcrA/s795/WhistleBendRoutes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="795" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnGKgV5OzI-506oc0BEpgH7SzRV-9GE4kSR8qsMvrtuIzQjwXkzBA7VKx2EU6f0Y7BROxf9zZBgJ5n7-j2VVV-nTd5yiYluDnMMoLbCidDmmcjcgUwFypnguxg7fUUhRN3tH6BX-A7t2VunsjQuMVw48GbTHehjVHQU3grroMlgRutFC9yGP7nXJcrA/w640-h554/WhistleBendRoutes.jpg" title="Bike Routes to Whistle Bend" width="640" /></a></div>All of these routes involved building new, separated protected safe, all-ages and abilities accessible infrastructure to make choosing cycling comfortable and convenient. The difference is both the distance, but more importantly for riding a bike, the climb! Hills, especially in winters, are the major barrier to active transportation. <p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Results:</h3><p>What do we see? Well, my so-called "Direct Route" is shortest by almost half a kilometer, but most importantly, it has over 40% less climb. That is a lot! 29 m of climb vs. about 50m of climb for all the other three options.</p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Route C: McIntyre Creek - 4.9 km - 51 m climb</li><li>Route V: Mountain View Drive - 4.5 km - 52 m climb</li><li>Route D: Direct - 4.1 km - 29 m climb</li><li>Route R: Range Rd. - 4.6 km - 50 m climb</li></ul><p>Below are climb profiles of the four routes, starting at Whistle Bend and finishing at 2 Mile Hill. Note the vertical scale is not the same in all of these:</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3IyC8m45fBdBmIAr9ta6Kc8ChQU0lXuRKpCd9QMkCwJdVBc0gOc15eCyjyLCvb9IvPFfU6kDkqZkO11kLIiDERYgM1THC8hRlGEjb1C77O35SSCJsb3yyP-S8wO1UKCBYN9zpQ2ZJPUs4WCOaL-Atm5TubC66SC8Y3sWd4JKDc8zw7thI4SV4YJqXEQ/s1071/Route%20V.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="215" data-original-width="1071" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3IyC8m45fBdBmIAr9ta6Kc8ChQU0lXuRKpCd9QMkCwJdVBc0gOc15eCyjyLCvb9IvPFfU6kDkqZkO11kLIiDERYgM1THC8hRlGEjb1C77O35SSCJsb3yyP-S8wO1UKCBYN9zpQ2ZJPUs4WCOaL-Atm5TubC66SC8Y3sWd4JKDc8zw7thI4SV4YJqXEQ/w640-h128/Route%20V.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Route V: Mountain View Drive elevation profile<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LODq0CeuWRJULUz3PwWH_4sX3XHYhiF1sZdrkVa6j3jgZy5Zu9OwK5nGvn9hDxAtCwHo1ue5CB0zsGABCv2tCqfqI2dy2c36KP8a3cGrltsDYUPWnV4xtHLq8Du-jWYdGWYPwQLrHd6pslSy0CXSC5pfbLPjgCTvtnX8wFd4Q3YP-m6al4pnkLRVfw/s1086/RouteC.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="1086" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LODq0CeuWRJULUz3PwWH_4sX3XHYhiF1sZdrkVa6j3jgZy5Zu9OwK5nGvn9hDxAtCwHo1ue5CB0zsGABCv2tCqfqI2dy2c36KP8a3cGrltsDYUPWnV4xtHLq8Du-jWYdGWYPwQLrHd6pslSy0CXSC5pfbLPjgCTvtnX8wFd4Q3YP-m6al4pnkLRVfw/w640-h126/RouteC.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Route C: McIntyre Creek route elevation profile<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDBD_XxWcgPS7mgZaYj-Yev-qgZFlKSvHnatYTUTXfeaLmco8KwFBcE06fWB8vKi8DQ13hxzubB6q_BOHjwJj7cnbOpN5iPNqYBY2MyV3JA-mMbqkwouH_g0_4ceIcdMkE7boNQM_2z97RPYowo_Zp3JBig5sNBVsUBh4T-JtJUaoCrThEPFia0MkqA/s1092/RouteD.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="1092" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDBD_XxWcgPS7mgZaYj-Yev-qgZFlKSvHnatYTUTXfeaLmco8KwFBcE06fWB8vKi8DQ13hxzubB6q_BOHjwJj7cnbOpN5iPNqYBY2MyV3JA-mMbqkwouH_g0_4ceIcdMkE7boNQM_2z97RPYowo_Zp3JBig5sNBVsUBh4T-JtJUaoCrThEPFia0MkqA/w640-h128/RouteD.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Route D: Direct route elevation profile<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFlpBIGxMLdnQccZcZ1yWeBReeewo7w-tYemubsaQh4TCVBOtOUwNBHkyXrqfyB_42mZTicc6NV7jbtXschtOAAMVGKwP5E14KfjpSATbZJWmJB1bzlyrgHgjN8mVX8Agd5X2aYoHMpMq1lHwdS9M0FvBuTm7d1kcwbujPdQFMQDbHOe1bPuLA0F9Dig/s1080/RouteR.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="215" data-original-width="1080" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFlpBIGxMLdnQccZcZ1yWeBReeewo7w-tYemubsaQh4TCVBOtOUwNBHkyXrqfyB_42mZTicc6NV7jbtXschtOAAMVGKwP5E14KfjpSATbZJWmJB1bzlyrgHgjN8mVX8Agd5X2aYoHMpMq1lHwdS9M0FvBuTm7d1kcwbujPdQFMQDbHOe1bPuLA0F9Dig/w640-h128/RouteR.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Route R: Range Road elevation profile<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><i>* </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i>* Here is a bonus idea: the north side of the Range Road and Mountain View Drive intersection is a natural place for an active transportation underpass. The reason is the topography is naturally suited for creating the separation. Thus you could ride north from Takhini to Range Point or Whistle Bend, or even Porter Creek without having to cross Mountain View Drive! Even north-bound bus users would benefit because they could access the University without having to cross and stop busy traffic on Mountain View. </i></p><p><i>The other cool thing I learned recently is underpasses are better than overpasses for cycling because you carry your momentum, thus getting you half way up the other side without effort. Physics! </i></p><p><i> </i></p><p><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfZVATyNs3lNZn-Xy4SbPAHlbYaJFxHspctTbfOKN32mWM4NZw5zNoS8ZwR1spfeh7pXmxF6PgHgtGVeKZ37Yf-QKZ0PvWlVOino08Wxyb1Uz22zfy2uIdkBnyUMVXTmUYi1sy5vt_Wzkh9jBiaS9tRSY5Uyo1py1DtaNCWui8WFQY21lHm2jOHvwWQ/s1152/MtViewUnderpass.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="1152" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfZVATyNs3lNZn-Xy4SbPAHlbYaJFxHspctTbfOKN32mWM4NZw5zNoS8ZwR1spfeh7pXmxF6PgHgtGVeKZ37Yf-QKZ0PvWlVOino08Wxyb1Uz22zfy2uIdkBnyUMVXTmUYi1sy5vt_Wzkh9jBiaS9tRSY5Uyo1py1DtaNCWui8WFQY21lHm2jOHvwWQ/w640-h326/MtViewUnderpass.jpg" width="640" /></a></i></div><i><br /> </i><br /><p></p>Forest Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16193171762364731123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2167385752198380950.post-62995741841716486512021-12-19T10:32:00.002-08:002021-12-19T15:28:34.925-08:00Cycling Project Pipeline for Whitehorse<p> For a number of years I have been saying we need a "project pipeline" for building the<a href="https://www.whitehorse.ca/departments/planning-sustainability-services/transportation/cycle/bicycle-network-plan"> cycling network in Whitehorse</a>. What I mean by a "project pipeline" is a orderly plan and schedule for building the connected, convenient and logical cycling network. Building these projects takes time, especially to be planned and designed well. It takes a year or two just to plan and design before the projects can get built, thus it is important the planning is done in advance and so the projects ready to go. </p><p>The following is 10 Big Projects I dreamed up for what might be a good pipeline of projects to get built. No schedule here, just my idea for a general order of priority:</p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Close the Gap</b> - <u>Chilkoot Way cycling (MUP) connection</u> from 2-Mile Hill to Waterfront Trail</li><li>Active Transportation re-build of <u>Range Road & 2-Mile Hill intersection</u> - but design it well this time with a<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protected_intersection"> Protected Intersection</a> approach. </li><li>Re-build <u>4th Ave Protected Bikeway</u> - from Black Street to 2nd Ave (include re-build 2nd and 4th intersection to improve accessibility and safety).</li><li>Complete the <u>Downtown Bike Network</u> - in particular the protected cycle infrastructure on the cross streets of Hanson, Wood, Black, Ogilvie and 2nd Ave (4th to Waterfront trail). This would be a big, multi-million dollar project that will be well suited for federal funding (such as Canada's <a href="https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/trans/active-actif-eng.html">Active Transportation Fund</a>). Also connect the two downtown schools to the bike network.<br /></li><li>Build the <u>Riverfront Rail Trail</u> - convert the railway tracks to a cycling rail trail - to create more capacity along the waterfront, reducing conflict with pedestrians.</li><li><u>Riverdale Cycleway</u> - Complete a contiguous, convenient protected bike route the entire length of Lewes Boulevard, complete with high quality, convenient connections to the 6 schools along the route. <br /></li><li><u>Alaska Highway underpass</u> - create a safe crossing from the north end of the airport to the west side of the highway. I've written about this underpass before, you an read more <a href="http://forestpearson.blogspot.com/2018/11/pedestrian-bike-underpass-of-alaska.html">here</a>. <br /></li><li><u>Range Road cycle route</u> - including underpass of Mountain View drive at Range Road to provide a safe, separated connection from Range Road north to Takhini and Yukon University. </li><li>Complete the <u>Alaska Cycle Highway</u> - a separated, protected bike route the length of the Alaska Highway through Whitehorse - from Carcross Corner to Whitehorse's northern city limit at the Mayo Road. Consider another underpass from Takhini North to Kopper King, providing a safe crossing for Kopper King residents and access to the Mt. Mac ski trails and greenspace. </li><li>Complete<u> Lower Escarpment Trail </u>- finish the downtown active transportation loop. Consider an underpass of Robert Service Way at 5th Ave so there is a separated, convenient safe way for people to access the Millennium Trail without have to cross traffic. <br /></li></ol><p>In parallel, Hillcrest re-construction should be occurring which should build the bike network from Alaska Highway up to Granger/Copper Ridge.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkV15qjkHaDrfYzkXUWvC3yN0SyFgEaZCVdwSdFfyz54cXKktZjSSbCByZOmxQqFsgK0Z2DpFRhp5VYDNuaJUqum1exn_CK9wgBtdh9Df5LU4IJbYk5SVL1lK-eQlHuoLAaItKKSdfZdowhbGRWBbysiE8CQE3B0kcy2vBcG4IUajEa9PwvuNzfntxJQ=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkV15qjkHaDrfYzkXUWvC3yN0SyFgEaZCVdwSdFfyz54cXKktZjSSbCByZOmxQqFsgK0Z2DpFRhp5VYDNuaJUqum1exn_CK9wgBtdh9Df5LU4IJbYk5SVL1lK-eQlHuoLAaItKKSdfZdowhbGRWBbysiE8CQE3B0kcy2vBcG4IUajEa9PwvuNzfntxJQ=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <br /><p></p><p><br /></p>Forest Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16193171762364731123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2167385752198380950.post-54080249156030988522021-07-31T19:51:00.003-07:002021-08-01T06:03:33.221-07:00Exploring the Old Alaska Highway - Off-Highway Ride from Whitehorse to Haines Junction<h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Summary:</b></h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Ride the route of the original Alaska Highway between Whitehorse and Haines Junction<br /></b></li><li><b>160km total distance, 90 km are off the modern day highway</b></li><li><b>Can be a nice one or two-night trip (Friday evening, Saturday & Sunday)<br /></b></li><li><b>Mix of highway pavement, backroad pavement, gravel and some interesting abandoned paved sections in the forest.</b></li><li><b>Day 2 is particularly nice with last 35 km from Canyon to Haines Junction completely off-road with some really nice gravel riding.</b> <br /></li></ul><iframe scrolling="no" src="https://ridewithgps.com/embeds?type=route&id=36322813&title=Old%20Alaska%20Highway%20-%20Whitehorse%20to%20Haines%20Junction&metricUnits=true" style="border: none; height: 550px; min-width: 100%; width: 1px;"></iframe>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">The Idea:<br /></h3><p>I realized that much of the original route of the Alaska Highway between Whitehorse and Haines Junction still exists. So we found and followed much of it on our bikes and were able to ride about 60%, or about 90 km of the 160 km between the two towns off of the modern day highway. We ended up finding some pretty interest and nice gravel riding, a great way to make the trip. Some of it is well known, such as "Old Alaska Highway" near Whitehorse, or the section through Champaign, but others are either pretty overgrown, or, nice gravel road such as the section of the route that follows the <a href="https://yukonhistorytrails.com/2018/11/13/the-kluane-wagon-road-part-1-introduction-events-leading-up-to-the-kwr/">Kluane Wagon Road</a> from Canyon into Haines Junction. <br /></p><p>I'm not keen on camping, so I try to find accommodation along the way. We left town Friday after work and stayed at <a href="https://muktuk.com/">Muktuk Adventures</a> (lots of great accommodation options here, plus great breakfast!). I couldn't find accommodation half way, so ended up leaving our trailer at a friend's place at Mendenhall, but post-pandemic it might be possible to camp/stay at<a href="https://yukonfirstnationculture.com/camping/"> Long Ago People's Place,</a> which would be pretty cool. I haven't talked to them yet, but it would be worth following up next year. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hKF0SNif3Eo/YQXzEl8j3bI/AAAAAAAAEQU/8dDdgfdjDOEg2ZBlgQFzrP-SoJxv4Bn8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/205438359_10159340819018936_5176494994860828497_n.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hKF0SNif3Eo/YQXzEl8j3bI/AAAAAAAAEQU/8dDdgfdjDOEg2ZBlgQFzrP-SoJxv4Bn8gCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h320/205438359_10159340819018936_5176494994860828497_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">Here
is the 1946 airphoto and you can see how it weaves across to the west
where Birch St is now, then back over to Centennial St north. </span></td></tr></tbody></table> </h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">Route Overview:</h3><p>You can do this route as an overnight, riding about 80 km each day. But we did it as a 2 1/2 day trip (two night) leaving town Friday afternoon, then two full-day rides Saturday & Sunday.</p><p> Download the route for Ride With GPS: <a href="https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36322813">https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36322813 </a><br /></p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Day 0 - Whitehorse to Old Alaska Highway / Muktuk Adventures - km 1430 to 1442<br /></h4><p>From downtown, ride about 26 kilometers of the Alaska Highway, then about 4 km off the highway to stay overnight at Muktuk Adventure's cabins. <br /></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A1C-HebNnNo/YQXr-QtrTmI/AAAAAAAAEQM/dKaerJQjwA0Ua9y_XbKg-MXYu3TA5nm5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s5152/IMG_1949.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3864" data-original-width="5152" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A1C-HebNnNo/YQXr-QtrTmI/AAAAAAAAEQM/dKaerJQjwA0Ua9y_XbKg-MXYu3TA5nm5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1949.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Centennial Rd. in Porter Creek is the old Alaska Highway route.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>We started following the old Alaska Highway from Porter Creek where Centennial Road follows the original route of the highway.<br /></li><li>Cross to the west side of Alaska Highway at Super-A where Birch St follows the route of the original highway. </li><li>Cross back to Centennial at Wann Road and follow it to MacDonald Road. We stopped for dinner and a beer at <a href="https://www.whiskeyjacks.ca/">Whiskey Jacks</a></li><li>A few kilometres on the highway past Crestview and there is a 1 km section of gravel road which is the old highway on the east side before Cousins Airstrip. You can stay off the highway by continuing through the rest stop and follow the ATV trail on the east side to the intersection with the North Klondike Highway.</li><li>Cross the N. Klondike Highway to follow ATV trail on the east side of the highway, climb the hill to access a nice 3 km section of the old Highway, which is now Parent Lane. </li><li>At km 1441 cross to the south side of the highway to find two short loops of the old highway and are now Echo Lake Road and Jackson Road.</li></ol><p> </p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Day 1 - Old Alaska Highway to Mendenhall / Champagne - km 1442 to 1496/~1508 +/-<br /></h4><p>The first full day starts with a nice ride on the paved Old Alaska Highway just outside Whitehorse, a few abandoned sections before Takhini Crossing, and then the longest on-highway stretch - about 28 on highway before you find the next abandoned segment near Stoney Creek. The old section of highway through Champagne is about the half-way point of the trip, so find camping in this area:</p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Old Alaska Highway is a 6 km side road which makes for a nice morning ride to start the day. Feels very rural.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gIiG5dIAsUw/YQX3gmSXBkI/AAAAAAAAEQc/SSKdcCHNlJIhkuG-LxmdNUxedVM8hdtaACLcBGAsYHQ/s5152/IMG_1971.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3864" data-original-width="5152" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gIiG5dIAsUw/YQX3gmSXBkI/AAAAAAAAEQc/SSKdcCHNlJIhkuG-LxmdNUxedVM8hdtaACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_1971.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></li><li>Between here and Woodland Road (km 1453) are three short segments on both sides of the road that are quite overgrown, but ridable on a mountain or gravel bike with hearty tires. <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2xMvnYPFBUc/YQX4gzmWBNI/AAAAAAAAEQk/M6Be0NV10UcZsgJp_R4R7cFf5Pj8ajlIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s5152/IMG_1991.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3864" data-original-width="5152" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2xMvnYPFBUc/YQX4gzmWBNI/AAAAAAAAEQk/M6Be0NV10UcZsgJp_R4R7cFf5Pj8ajlIwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_1991.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woodland Rd., last section of old highway for a while.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></li><li>Woodland Road is the last section of old highway for a while, so it is worth riding. A bit of a scramble back down to the highway at Takhini Crossing. </li><li>After 28 km of mind-numbing road riding (stop to admire the cows and have lunch at the Takhini River to break up the monotony), you again find sections of old highway on the south side - a very short segment at Annie Ned Creek and then a longer section starting at km 1483 just before La Prairie ranch. </li><li>At km 1484 you can follow the old highway on the north side where it crosses Stoney Creek. The bridge is gone, so you'll have to go back to the modern highway to cross the creek, unless you are an obsessive person like me with a partner of infinite patience and insist on wading the creek and bushwacking back up to the old road route. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eD1bf5aaZ50/YQX5XoOw4yI/AAAAAAAAEQs/hGXB6Y_Abzw6pZ4otpQLoAI6lRpOyjv_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s5152/IMG_2015.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5152" data-original-width="3864" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eD1bf5aaZ50/YQX5XoOw4yI/AAAAAAAAEQs/hGXB6Y_Abzw6pZ4otpQLoAI6lRpOyjv_ACLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_2015.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing Stoney Cr., not remains of bridge on far bank.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></li><li>At km 1488 you can find an old piece of road on the south side that leads to the Kusawa Lake road. It has been "scarified" so is pretty rough to ride, but you can see a bit of yellow line still on the broken up chip seal. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XEarcnzVobg/YQX7L871MSI/AAAAAAAAEQ0/JqG01kjh9jEVhs6VOBMk7CpwZc87wfRYACLcBGAsYHQ/s5152/IMG_2025.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5152" data-original-width="3864" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XEarcnzVobg/YQX7L871MSI/AAAAAAAAEQ0/JqG01kjh9jEVhs6VOBMk7CpwZc87wfRYACLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_2025.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remains of yellow centreline along abandoned section of old highway near Kusawa Lake Rd. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />You can detour down the Kusawa Rd for a couple of kilometres to reach the Mendenhall River crossing which is a good place to take a swim and cool off. <br /></li><li>After crossing the Kusawa Road, cross to the north side of the highway to find another <1km section of old road, better riding this time.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n12s61olB3Q/YQX_gw6oOrI/AAAAAAAAEQ8/Z67KIHj-hH4-rVYpNuiFjqEu26TYWzenwCLcBGAsYHQ/s5152/IMG_2035.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5152" data-original-width="3864" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n12s61olB3Q/YQX_gw6oOrI/AAAAAAAAEQ8/Z67KIHj-hH4-rVYpNuiFjqEu26TYWzenwCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_2035.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old asphalt at km ~ 1490, north side of the modern highway.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></li><li>Now another 5 km on the highway before reaching the Mendenhall Subdivision access road which is another 1.5 km chunk of the old highway you can ride through.</li></ol><p>We stayed the night at a friend's property at Mendenhall, so depending on where you camp adjust your day 1->2 break.</p><p> <br /></p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Day 2 - Mendenhall / Champagne to Haines Junction - km 1496/~1508 +/- to km 1578<br /></h4><p> Day 2 is the better day with lots off-highway riding and some interesting discoveries. The longest "on-highway" stretch is about 14 km from the west end of the Champagne road to just before Cracker Creek. From Cracker Creek onward, the route get fabulous with fun abandoned paved sections to the fast gravel ride on the Kluane Wagon Road / Marshall Cr. road for the last 35 km of the route:</p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>After the Mendenhall section, cross to the south side of the highway at km 1497 to avoid the big hill. This takes you on a gravel trail through a really nice grassland that is worth the detour. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HZnWt_GbCpw/YQYBLC6SVmI/AAAAAAAAERE/74_4vJKgqTkoHVAdIDAlcYOBMLNmHonrQCLcBGAsYHQ/s5152/IMG_2045.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3864" data-original-width="5152" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HZnWt_GbCpw/YQYBLC6SVmI/AAAAAAAAERE/74_4vJKgqTkoHVAdIDAlcYOBMLNmHonrQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_2045.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail through nice south-facing grasslands allow you to bypass the big hill after Mendenhall<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></li><li>About a kilometer and a half later, you can cross the the north side of the highway for a nice three km gravel section of the old highway (starts at km 1500)</li><li>After crossing the Mendenhall River you get to the old highway Champagne. This is a leisurely 14 km paved road with very little traffic, and of course the highlight is the history-rich village of Champagne. </li><li>14 km more of dull highway riding - this will make you thankful for what comes next.</li><li>At km 1533 you finally get to leave the highway to access another old section of road on the north side, just before Cracker Cr. It returns to the highway to cross the creek, then again departs on the north side for another kilometer of pleasant gravel and fast-rolling abandoned paved road - very fun! <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N62aLFq7s1w/YQYEHWsqiNI/AAAAAAAAERM/dtlZLtZNtJcQSICAc49LtCSp3-wdCiKGgCLcBGAsYHQ/s5152/IMG_2069.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3864" data-original-width="5152" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N62aLFq7s1w/YQYEHWsqiNI/AAAAAAAAERM/dtlZLtZNtJcQSICAc49LtCSp3-wdCiKGgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_2069.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abandoned paved road west of Cracker Creek.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></li><li>At km 1537 starts the really interesting paved but overgrown 8 km segment of road. This is the highlight of the trip. Zipping along fast through the forest and wildflowers on a paved abandoned road. Felt like riding on those abandoned airfields you see, but it is covered in wildflowers! You'll want a gravel bike or mountain bike because it can be a bit rough. But this section between here an Canyon is defiantly a rare and unique find, well worth the ride. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6GUyqZ5OO-M/YQYFwbYvEdI/AAAAAAAAERU/I8RcCbyGFMcYdnDsPTMpjREMLwV758ergCLcBGAsYHQ/s5152/IMG_2083.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3864" data-original-width="5152" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6GUyqZ5OO-M/YQYFwbYvEdI/AAAAAAAAERU/I8RcCbyGFMcYdnDsPTMpjREMLwV758ergCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_2083.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HqTdLQmG6o4/YQYFyDZlOkI/AAAAAAAAERY/7vdmvV_aB3cDT4ijQVDvkTe1hB27lqWZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s5152/IMG_2081.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5152" data-original-width="3864" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HqTdLQmG6o4/YQYFyDZlOkI/AAAAAAAAERY/7vdmvV_aB3cDT4ijQVDvkTe1hB27lqWZQCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_2081.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /></li><li> You can get resupplied with sugary and salty treats at Otter Falls RV park (km 1546), then cross the Aishihik River on the heritage bridge, and from here on, it is off-highway gravel along the Kluane Wagon Road and Marshall Creek road! Cross the old wood bridge, then it is a bit of sandy push up the hill. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NVUKGmJjruM/YQYHXta_z8I/AAAAAAAAERg/jXpmpKFNSOs_TvLVfH01OlwrABXyL_I1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s5152/IMG_2107.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3864" data-original-width="5152" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NVUKGmJjruM/YQYHXta_z8I/AAAAAAAAERg/jXpmpKFNSOs_TvLVfH01OlwrABXyL_I1gCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_2107.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sandy push up the hill after crossing the Aishihik River.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></li><li>Cross to the south side of the highway at the top of the hill for a really nice, smooth gravel through open forest - about 5 km.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cPwQiBIyb9M/YQYIyszFClI/AAAAAAAAERo/7DD-nFnLh50v6N0oaWhoa0j-15Gs33jnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s5152/IMG_2113.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3864" data-original-width="5152" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cPwQiBIyb9M/YQYIyszFClI/AAAAAAAAERo/7DD-nFnLh50v6N0oaWhoa0j-15Gs33jnwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_2113.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kluane Wagon Road, west of Canyon - some pretty sweet gravel riding.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></li><li>At km 1553 you'll cross the highway to continue on the Kluane Wagon Road north of the highway. Again, another 5 km really nice gravel riding, this time through pretty aspen forests. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qxdptxQxnUQ/YQYJfmouroI/AAAAAAAAERw/FzvI7ucuBLgiagbA7U6cyj98gAlzZFwUQCLcBGAsYHQ/s5152/IMG_2133.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5152" data-original-width="3864" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qxdptxQxnUQ/YQYJfmouroI/AAAAAAAAERw/FzvI7ucuBLgiagbA7U6cyj98gAlzZFwUQCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_2133.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This mind-numbing road is what you get to bypass by following the old route!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <br /></li><li>You'll cross the highway again to the south side at km 1557 to access the Marshall Creek road, which is the last 20 km of the ride, leading you to Haines Junction. Overall this last section is downhill and fast riding gravel road. You do need to ford Marshall Creek, but most of the year it isn't that bad. After that it is nice views of the Dezedeash River, some farms and then you are there, Haines Junction and historical mile 1016. <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-91JyPB9LmhY/YQYLJyZM0zI/AAAAAAAAER8/L5fjCzUMWQ8ejJZEGh3Gxkz2HTsYhOoqgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/marshallCr.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1504" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-91JyPB9LmhY/YQYLJyZM0zI/AAAAAAAAER8/L5fjCzUMWQ8ejJZEGh3Gxkz2HTsYhOoqgCLcBGAsYHQ/w299-h400/marshallCr.jpg" width="299" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fording Marshall Creek. 2021 was a record snowpack year, so the creek was in flood.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rX7HJuuzqz0/YQYLJ3okITI/AAAAAAAAER4/q1VpdgTAcKAelFnDLrii92Mv_bKD5zemQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1944/the%2Bend.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1458" data-original-width="1944" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rX7HJuuzqz0/YQYLJ3okITI/AAAAAAAAER4/q1VpdgTAcKAelFnDLrii92Mv_bKD5zemQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/the%2Bend.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The End.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></li></ol><p> </p><p> </p><p>I have an album of more photos and videos from the trip (for inspiration purposes!) on Facebook at: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10159339060738936&type=3">https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10159339060738936&type=3</a></p><p> <br /></p>Forest Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16193171762364731123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2167385752198380950.post-70577987757820008562021-05-30T21:52:00.014-07:002021-06-01T22:18:54.118-07:00Easy Overnight Whitehorse Bikepacking Route - Cowley Lake Gravel Tour<p><b>Summary: Easy, overnight gravel bikepacking tour route for "credit-card camping" from downtown Whitehorse. </b></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Total trip distance ~90 km <br /></b></li><li><b>Day 1 route goes south towards Cowley Lake, avoiding highways except for the last 10 km. You'll end up at the very nice <a href="https://yukonmotorcyclepark.ca/">Yukon Motorcycle Park</a> to overnight where they welcome "<i>three wheels or less</i>". Stay in the wall tents (with beds!) and enjoy a hearty dinner at <a href="https://wolfsden.ca/">Wolf's Den restaurant</a>. </b></li><li><b>Day 2 is shorter, starting with some easy trail riding and lunch at Winterlong Brewing. Route avoids the highway and is a mix of trail (including some single-track) and rural roads. Return to Whitehorse crossing the emerald waters of Miles Canyon. </b></li></ul>
<iframe scrolling="no" src="https://ridewithgps.com/embeds?type=route&id=35929642&title=Cowley%20Lake%20Gravel%20Tour%20-%20Day%201&metricUnits=true" style="border: none; height: 550px; min-width: 100%; width: 1px;"></iframe>
<iframe scrolling="no" src="https://ridewithgps.com/embeds?type=route&id=36006688&title=Cowley%20Lake%20Gravel%20Tour%20-%20Day%202&metricUnits=true" style="border: none; height: 550px; min-width: 100%; width: 1px;"></iframe>
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b> </b></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>The idea:</b></h3><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CdByqRdTcsI/YLRi7HejuqI/AAAAAAAAEOA/_RnFMPDJ_7MuQNopOk4ByqNi5_PfvUlXQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210529_101108.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CdByqRdTcsI/YLRi7HejuqI/AAAAAAAAEOA/_RnFMPDJ_7MuQNopOk4ByqNi5_PfvUlXQCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h240/20210529_101108.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cozy wall tents (with beds!) at Yukon Motorcycle Park<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I wanted a local overnight bike tour that was easy, but I didn't need to camp (I hate tent camping). Thus, the new <a href="https://yukonmotorcyclepark.ca/">Yukon Motorcycle Park</a> is perfect for that! Owner Bruce Martin is happy to have "three wheels or less" and provides cozy wall tents with beds and bedding. Plus the <a href="https://wolfsden.ca/">Wolf's Den</a> restaurant has hearty dinner and off-sales for beer around the fire pit. <p></p><p>The route is designed to avoid highway as much as possible, but still be an easy off-road ride with friends. AND be able to stop for beers along the way. Day 1 is about 50 km, and Day 2 is easier at about 35 km so you can have a leisurely morning and not be too early to stop for beer at <a href="http://winterlongbrewing.com/">Winterlong</a>. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Route Overview:</h3><div style="text-align: left;">The route doesn't necessarily need to go to Cowley Lake, I just called it that because it is the southern most extent of the route. <br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Day 1 - Whitehorse to Carcross Corner via Cowley Lake: </h4><div style="text-align: left;">Ride with GPS link: <a href="https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35929642">https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35929642</a><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T1oagNN3E1w/YLRmSTYrJJI/AAAAAAAAEOI/46dNhx3W04QjmZI0A4TKM_dChV15GMAkACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210528_101540.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T1oagNN3E1w/YLRmSTYrJJI/AAAAAAAAEOI/46dNhx3W04QjmZI0A4TKM_dChV15GMAkACLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h150/20210528_101540.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><ol><li>Starting from downtown Whitehorse, head around the north end of the airport and through the <a href="https://www.trailforks.com/trails/we-re-all-going-to-burns/">trails between Hillcrest and Granger</a>. Stop in and visit Nicole Bauberger's outdoor art gallery <a href="https://www.trailforks.com/trails/dalton-trail-trail-gallery/">https://www.trailforks.com/trails/dalton-trail-trail-gallery/</a> </li><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--yzpPOYLb7E/YLRnfJCqbjI/AAAAAAAAEOQ/Z-IH2KlVf3kNXAonWzb-Lf4CJh-q6NfRgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210528_105735.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Local pork snacks from Bigway" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--yzpPOYLb7E/YLRnfJCqbjI/AAAAAAAAEOQ/Z-IH2KlVf3kNXAonWzb-Lf4CJh-q6NfRgCLcBGAsYHQ/w150-h200/20210528_105735.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Pass through the residential subdivisions of Granger and Copper Ridge - stop for any missing supplies, snacks or coffee after making the big climb, at Bigway Foods in Granger.<br /></li><li>Take any of the three trails from Granger southward over to McLean Lake Road (we chose the longer, but nicer and less climb trail to the west that Trailforks calls "<a href="https://www.trailforks.com/trails/midnight-access/">Midnight Access</a>" - you can actually link that with the lower part of Sparky, then back to Midnight Run and pretty much avoid all the climbing and twisty single track) </li><li>Take McLean Lake Road up to the Copper Haul Road - we detoured via McLean Lake itself to avoid going through the gravel pits.</li><li>Follow the Copper Haul Road all the way south to the Wolf Creek bridge. We stopped for lunch at Mt. Sima ski hill and took advantage of their chairs and pick-nick tables. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9fpDq-ZMgvQ/YLRn7Mimf0I/AAAAAAAAEOY/N-eTEf8TWKgA73C_-rFZqws1wfz2eKr7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210528_144450.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9fpDq-ZMgvQ/YLRn7Mimf0I/AAAAAAAAEOY/N-eTEf8TWKgA73C_-rFZqws1wfz2eKr7wCLcBGAsYHQ/w150-h200/20210528_144450.jpg" width="150" /></a></div></li><li>Continue south from Wolf Creek on the Great Trail (formerly the Trans Canada Trail) on what is called the <a href="https://www.trailforks.com/trails/pipeline-road-303297/">Pipeline Road</a>. If it has been wet or it is early in the season, there can be some pretty good puddles on the trail. We got wet feet. </li><li>Follow the Pipeline Road (or <a href="https://www.trailforks.com/trails/trans-canada-trail-annie-lake/">Annie Lake trail </a>as Trailforks calls the southern portion) till the overlook over Cowley Lake (just so you can say you saw the lake), then turn around and head back to the bridge over Cowley Creek. </li><li>On the south side of the small bridge over Cowley Creek, follow the quad trail east / northeast till you reach the White Pass & Yukon Route railway tracks at the former location of <a href="https://www.trailforks.com/region/yukon-rc-modellers-airfield-29412/">Cowley Station</a>. This short bit of trail can be swampy, so you might need to bushwack a bit to get around the wet spots. But it is just a short distance, and once you are there, it is all roads from here to the end. </li><li>After crossing the tracks, you can access Cowley Lake Road by passing south of the private property. Follow Cowley Lake Road to the Klondike Highway.</li><li>From here it is 10 km north up Klondike Highway to Carcross Corner. If you are lucky, the prevailing wind is from the south and you might get a nice tailwind like we got. You can also stop for a swim at <a href="https://yukon.ca/en/outdoor-recreation-and-wildlife/camping/site/kookatsoon-lake">Kookatsoon Lake</a> to refresh before reaching camp. </li><li><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gQrsxRavXW8/YLRrOfuFKBI/AAAAAAAAEOg/fzXiLTPH3ogVD8YCDSjkdrtsnPuxIkDdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210529_101323.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gQrsxRavXW8/YLRrOfuFKBI/AAAAAAAAEOg/fzXiLTPH3ogVD8YCDSjkdrtsnPuxIkDdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210529_101323.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three Wheels or Less includes bikes!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>There is a good quad trail on the north side of the Alaska Highway so you can stay on gravel for the last kilometre to camp. </li></ol></li></ul><h3 style="text-align: left;"> </h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"> </h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"> </h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"> </h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"> </h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"> </h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"> </h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span><a name='more'></a></span>Day 2 - Carcross Corner back to Whitehorse, via Winterlong Brewing</h3><div style="text-align: left;">Ride with GPS Link: <a href="https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36006688">https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36006688</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BarGepXKFK0/YLR2DUX3PAI/AAAAAAAAEOo/kaHXHoVFjO08KOsbUYB6C2Xb2G7oaqZygCLcBGAsYHQ/s682/access.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Public access to trails at north end of Arctic Dr." border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="682" height="156" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BarGepXKFK0/YLR2DUX3PAI/AAAAAAAAEOo/kaHXHoVFjO08KOsbUYB6C2Xb2G7oaqZygCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h156/access.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail access from Arctic Dr.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><ol><li>Access the Golden Horn trail network by taking a warm-up cruise through the country residential roads of Golden Horn subdivision - Empress Road to Arctic Drive. At the cul-de-sac end of Arctic Drive continue north on what looks like a private drive, but it actually a public access - just keep going straight. </li><li>Look for a quad trail turning off left after heading downhill for about 600 m after leaving the cul-de-sac. A short, steep push will get you up to the pretty Golden Horn neighborhood trails (Trailforks calls it the <a href="https://www.trailforks.com/region/yukon-rc-modellers-airfield-29412/">Yukon RC Modellers Airfield </a>area) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Exq71efSJlA/YLR27tHWfqI/AAAAAAAAEOw/s6ANiC2UalAGxWnKieDumhYx5TD9vl1PQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210529_103840.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Exq71efSJlA/YLR27tHWfqI/AAAAAAAAEOw/s6ANiC2UalAGxWnKieDumhYx5TD9vl1PQCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h150/20210529_103840.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></li><li>Enjoy the easy, generally flat perimeter trail, enjoying views of picturesque, almost perfectly circular sinkholes (technically <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kettle_(landform)">glacial kettles</a>) and nice views to the north of Grey Mountain and Golden Horn mountain. The key is to take a right at every intersection until you reach the RC airfield. </li><li>Cross the highway and zig left (east) 100 m, then turn south into the former KMA racetrack area. Follow the trails out of the southeast corner to connect up with cul-de-sac of Sockeye Place. Trails are a bit tricky here, just take the last left along the ridge before you reach the houses, this will be a short single track->quad trail leading to Sockeye Place.<br /></li><li>Then meander through the residential roads of the Cowley Creek and Mary Lake country residential subdivisions, but take a right when you get to Fireweed Drive and follow it to the playground.</li><li>At the playground, turn left (west) and explore the inter- subdivsion trails through pleasant open pine forest to arrive at Lupin Place. The trails are a bit of a maze, but it is worth working your way through here to avoid the unnecessary (and boring) hill on Fireweed Drive. </li><li>Get to the <a href=" https://www.trailforks.com/trails/mary-lake-cowley-lake-trail-east">Mary Lake / Wolf Creek trail </a>starting at the intersection of Fireweed Drive and Booth Road (Cadet Camp access road).</li><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l42ciN2ZGZU/YLR5jvD8UnI/AAAAAAAAEO4/D7thQDfnPWMwadjiUeQhwqBg-v2oDLPeQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210529_114433.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l42ciN2ZGZU/YLR5jvD8UnI/AAAAAAAAEO4/D7thQDfnPWMwadjiUeQhwqBg-v2oDLPeQCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h150/20210529_114433.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Cross Wolf Creek on the railway bridge and follow the "rail trail" paralleling the railway along the length of Wolf Creek subdivision. This is a surprisingly fun easy cruising trail with some creek crossings and a bridge leading to Nunatak Place. </li><li>Keep heading north through the residential roads of Whitehorse Copper & Mt. Sima subdivisions. If you want to maximize your gravel, take a short detour at Esker Drive and you can ride a short piece of the former <a href="https://then.timmit.ca/projects/cmbranch/">Copper Mines Branch </a>railway before returning to Moraine Drive. </li><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Xnjg0vHueg/YLR8MKRv7JI/AAAAAAAAEPA/Rm9YsNWzYIUajg9Lzshz_K68cn7PuVKTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210529_134437.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Xnjg0vHueg/YLR8MKRv7JI/AAAAAAAAEPA/Rm9YsNWzYIUajg9Lzshz_K68cn7PuVKTQCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h150/20210529_134437.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Stop at Winterlong Brewing for a refreshment(s), then backtrack to McFadden Way and <br />cross the Alaska Highway to reach the railway again. Turn north on the trail that parallels the railway. Keep following the old railway grade because although rough, you will avoid some sandy hills. You will arrive at a great viewpoint overlooking Miles Canyon. The railway was realigned closer to the highway in the 1960s due to a landslide in this area, thus abandoning this section of the railway grade. <br /></li><li>Follow Miles Canyon Road down to reach the <a href="https://explorenorth.com/yukon/miles_canyon.html">Robert Lowe suspension bridge</a>, first bridge built across the Yukon River. </li><li>Easy crusing back to town on the Chadburn Lake ski trails - take the Yellow to Red ski trails to reach the ski trail parking lot, cross Chadburn Lake Road and stay left to follow the Yellow ski trail another 1.1 km north. </li><li>Cross back over the Chadburn Lake road to reach the Yukon River trail and follow the single track northward along the edge of Schwatka Lake until you can go no further. Take the last right and a set of single track switch backs take you up to the top of the Chadburn Lake Road hill. </li><li>Lastly, follow Millennium Trail back to downtown Whitehorse, crossing the Centennial Bridge at the famous White Horse Rapids (also to admire Yukon's largest renewable energy facility, the 40MW Whitehorse Rapids Generating Station--also, take a detour to visit the world's longest<a href="https://yukonenergy.ca/sustainability/conservation/whitehorse-fishladder-and-hatchery"> wooden fish ladder.</a>)</li></ol><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qGdqVFDh03M/YLR_lVfSIoI/AAAAAAAAEPI/GmEd9yQYE3wxW6XEb2qtAT7D6m8kZJwCACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210529_141647.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qGdqVFDh03M/YLR_lVfSIoI/AAAAAAAAEPI/GmEd9yQYE3wxW6XEb2qtAT7D6m8kZJwCACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/20210529_141647.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p></li></ul>Forest Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16193171762364731123noreply@blogger.com1Whitehorse, YT, Canada60.7211871 -135.056844843.014407246480872 -170.2130948 78.427966953519132 -99.9005948tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2167385752198380950.post-91467111158397616682021-02-17T18:40:00.006-08:002021-02-23T21:31:51.050-08:00"Super Class" cycleways for Whitehorse?<p>I recently saw <a href="https://youtu.be/v7iz_2fZ3Fc?t=3738">presentation from a Finnish city</a> on their new "<i>Super Class</i>" of cycle routes in that city. Perhaps the term "Super Class" translates a bit funny to English, but it resonates with an idea I've been mulling over for Whitehorse for years: the need for a set of established, named and signed, contiguous cycle commuting routes in Whitehorse. I don't know what the best name for them would be "premier routes" "named routes" "priority routes"...I'm sure someone clever will come up some good nomenclature.</p><p>But the idea is a set of signed, designated key routes that receive high-quality, continuous maintenance year round. Thus, I broke out the pen and paper (or mouse and PowerPoint to be honest) and dreamed up some ideas based on what I know: </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gdHyEsxm1SE/YDXkgJjVqXI/AAAAAAAAEMk/7aOMmCa0Mi8lHUv788OL-KkTx-lP2zHBwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1210/WhitehorseCycleRoutes_v2_5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="1210" height="370" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gdHyEsxm1SE/YDXkgJjVqXI/AAAAAAAAEMk/7aOMmCa0Mi8lHUv788OL-KkTx-lP2zHBwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h370/WhitehorseCycleRoutes_v2_5.jpg" title="Idea for "Super Class" cycle routes in Whitehorse." width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p>All of the routes I dreamed up start/end at a central hub at Waterfront and Main Street These routes should be uniquely identified, so I colour coded them, and again <a href="https://youtu.be/uPrLlWbKt-E?t=2447">inspired by Oulu, I numbered them, starting like a clock </a>starting from the north. </p><p>I also laid out the routes to connect all of the schools south of Porter Creek. Thus there is a priority cycle route to each school such that one-day maybe kids could start biking to school routinely again. A first step is to create a safe way for them to do so. <br /></p><p>I'm not a resident in these subdivisions, so I don't know if the routes I drew up make the most sense of each neighborhood. Also I didn't draw anything for Porter Creek since I don't know enough about what makes for travel patterns in that neighborhood. </p><p>Anyway, I hope this inspires some ideas for how we can establish designated cycle routes for traveling by bike easily, year-round. <br /></p><br /><br />Forest Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16193171762364731123noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2167385752198380950.post-18113111985359054712020-10-27T20:47:00.001-07:002020-10-27T20:51:39.737-07:002018 looks to have been a bad year for Yukon's carbon emissions<p>Greenhouse gas emission reporting always lags two to three years behind. I find this frustrating when we are in a Climate Change Emergency and yet do not publish our pollution until three years after the fact. How are we supposed to manage what we measure three years too late? </p><p>Yukon generates it own emissions estimate because it has access to its own data sets for a more accurate estimate (relative to the <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/climate-change/greenhouse-gas-emissions/inventory.html">National Inventory Report</a> where Yukon is a mere rounding error on the national scale). But the most recent Yukon estimate (<a href="https://yukon.ca/en/greenhouse-gas-emissions-yukon">https://yukon.ca/en/greenhouse-gas-emissins-yukon</a>) only goes up to 2017. It is great Yukon does this more detailed, more accurate estimate, but again, it is still so much after the fact, it is hard to get feedback on how we are doing in our climate change fight.</p><p>So I plotted road fuel usage data, as reported by Yukon Bureau of Statics and greenhouse gas emissions to see if it gives some "indication" of how we've done since 2017. Since we know transportation is responsible for the majority of Yukon's emissions, it does give some insight: more fuel used = more emissions. Results are below, and the answer is things are not looking good for Yukon's emissions in 2018. Transportation fuel was up 16 million litres in 2018 vs 2017.</p><p>We are going in the wrong direction. It looks like we will need to double-down if we want to achieve our desired <a href="https://yukon.ca/our-clean-future#2030-targets">30% reductions in the next 10 years</a>. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H8QllecosKM/X5joKRErcZI/AAAAAAAAEK0/ylPJx4zrzLg1eg5R08PoXRLcFtjF78-jQCLcBGAsYHQ/s662/GHGs.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="662" height="372" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H8QllecosKM/X5joKRErcZI/AAAAAAAAEK0/ylPJx4zrzLg1eg5R08PoXRLcFtjF78-jQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h372/GHGs.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Forest Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16193171762364731123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2167385752198380950.post-40708440816960768992020-07-05T21:26:00.003-07:002020-07-05T21:26:53.965-07:002019 Carbon Levy Rebate and Our Family's Carbon EmissionsAt the end of April Yukoner's got their second carbon levy rebate of $43/person.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://forestpearson.blogspot.com/2020/03/our-familys-greenhouse-gas-emissions.html">As I posted previously</a>, I have been keeping track of our family's carbon emissions over the past year. Below is our monthly emissions: <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8n9R9X1HdXc/XwKm_wmLcdI/AAAAAAAAEJQ/_o4es2Al44MXpb2kxdlrpcz4GYjl5cxLQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/emissions2019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="739" height="460" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8n9R9X1HdXc/XwKm_wmLcdI/AAAAAAAAEJQ/_o4es2Al44MXpb2kxdlrpcz4GYjl5cxLQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/emissions2019.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>So did we pay more in carbon pollution fees than we got back?</i><br />
<br />
Our total carbon that was subject to the Yukon's carbon fee of $20/tonne from April 2019 to end of March 2020 was 6.9 tonnes of CO<sub>2</sub>. So that means as a family of three, over the 12 months we paid a total of <b>$138 </b>for the carbon pollution we were directly responsible for. <br />
<br />
Over the same period, we <b>got $258 </b>from government in carbon rebates. Thus we made $120 last year from the Yukon's carbon pricing scheme!<br />
<br />
Thank you to all you folks leaving your cars idling.Forest Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16193171762364731123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2167385752198380950.post-38369156628261078242020-03-03T20:32:00.003-08:002020-03-03T22:47:49.317-08:00Our Family's Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Carbon RebateOn July 1, 2019 Yukon started applying a <a href="https://yukon.ca/en/carbon-rebate">$20/tonne price on carbon dioxide pollution</a>. At the same time, the government committed to fully returning the levy to residents.<br />
<br />
The rebate is currently $43 / person every six month. We are a family of 3 and we just got our first 6-month rebate of $129 (it came to us a bit late 'cause I was late filing our 2018 income taxes :-( ) <br />
<br />
So I was curious - <i>are we going to pay more in our pollution "tipping fee" than we get back from the rebate? </i> Being someone who believes in "let the data reveal the truth" I've been keeping track of our family's greenhouse gas emissions. Below are the results for the up till end of February:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EQ9WVzAwj08/Xl8km382YhI/AAAAAAAAEGU/MM7n59AFCEczGIdJQnkiFN9IzKIHvptXQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/pearsonGHGs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="777" height="451" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EQ9WVzAwj08/Xl8km382YhI/AAAAAAAAEGU/MM7n59AFCEczGIdJQnkiFN9IzKIHvptXQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/pearsonGHGs.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<u><b>Methodology</b></u><br />
<ul>
<li>Gasoline and propane is simply our emissions by volume of gasoline/propane purchased (simply gas receipts) </li>
<li>Electricity changes from month-to-month because the carbon intensity of the on-grid electricity varies depending on how much is renewable energy (hydropower) and how much is thermal (diesel and LNG). I calculate the monthly carbon intensity based on the <a href="https://yukonenergy.ca/energy-in-yukon/electricity-101/current-energy-consumption/">monthly hydro/thermal generation reported by Yukon Energy</a>.</li>
<li>For flying, I use the typical emission factor for a 737-400 of 3.9kg/km, then I divide by the number of seats and my visual assessment of "load factor" (how full the plane is). Then I multiply by 2 to account for the <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329051755_Recommendations_for_calculation_of_the_global_warming_potential_of_aviation_including_the_radiative_forcing_index">radiant forcing effect of emitting those greenhouse gasses at altitude instead of at ground</a>.</li>
<li>Average Yukoner emissions (red line at top of chart) is from the most recent reliable GHG emissions estimate for the Yukon, which is from 2015 and presented in the <a href="https://yukon.ca/sites/yukon.ca/files/emr/emr-yukon-energy-state-play.pdf">Yukon Energy State of Play</a> (Vector Research, 2018). In 2015 total Yukon emissions are reported as 572,000 tonnes for a population of 37,745--thus about 15 tonnes CO<sub>2</sub>e / person. </li>
</ul>
<u><b>Observations</b></u><br />
<ul>
<li>You can see our gasoline usage is pretty steady year-round about 0.4 tonnes/month. It was much higher in August because we took a
camping road trip through northern BC. </li>
<li>The Carbon Levy (pollution price) is only paid on gasoline and propane in Yukon. Joe has conveniently negotiated an "exception" for aviation so Air North gets to dump their garbage in our air for free (my bias is showing!) Similarly fossil fuels burned to make electricity has been given an "exception" and no pollution fee is charged for electricity generated with diesel or LNG. </li>
<li>Thus we as a family only paid our carbon price on the gasoline and propane we burned and not the aviation or emissions from electricity usage. </li>
</ul>
<u><b>Results</b></u><br />
Over the six-month period of April through September 2019 (the first rebate was nominally issued in October, so presumably for this period), our family's GHG emissions were:<br />
<ul>
<li>51 tonnes of CO<sub>2</sub>e total emitted </li>
<li>5.1 tonnes of CO<sub>2</sub>e that were subject to the pollution fee</li>
<li>$102 in carbon pollution fees paid</li>
<li><u>$129 in rebate </u></li>
<li>+ $27 difference</li>
</ul>
<i>So we are ahead! </i><br />
<br />
But, given all the driving we did in August 2019 (see chart above), I expect that we'll be further ahead once a full year is paid out.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Conclusions</b></u><br />
So yes, more is being rebated than paid by us as the Yukon Government predicted. Thank you carbon polluters? But why is our family's emissions so much lower than the "average?" Well for a few reasons:<br />
<ol>
<li>Firstly, the "average" emissions I show above include all government, industrial and commercial emissions as well. Thus it really isn't representative of an individual family's direct greenhouse gas emissions.</li>
<li>We made the choice as a family to try to have a "light" carbon footprint, which includes:</li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>Making the conscious choice (and accept the cost) to live and work downtown. Thus we have very short commutes.</li>
<li>I try to cycle as much as possible year-round. I'd rather spend my money on nice beer instead of buying gasoline.</li>
<li>We don't travel a lot - there is lots of fun to be had close to home and lots wild landscapes to explore and experience in southern Yukon. I'm not done exploring home after almost 40 years of living here!</li>
<li>We have a relatively modest, energy efficient home that we heat primary with wood and have electric backup. No more nasty heating oil for us.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />Forest Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16193171762364731123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2167385752198380950.post-63727965854762119332019-11-06T23:17:00.005-08:002019-11-06T23:31:07.234-08:00Pork Chops and Refuge IslandsI got quite a few question asking "what is a Pork Chop?" after I'd mentioned that feature in my last blog post regarding the <a href="https://forestpearson.blogspot.com/2019/10/a-ride-on-new-alaska-highway-bike-path.html">new cycle path along the Alaska Highway</a>.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Pork Chop</b></u><br />
A "pork chop" it a term to describe a triangular shaped "island" or piece of alienated land created by a right-hand "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slip_lane">slip lane</a>" or right-hand merge/diverge lane. They are kind of an antiquate roadway design for convenience of drivers, but are quite problematic for pedestrians and cyclists.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, Whitehorse is rife with them. Here are some examples:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-js3ytyFIJrA/XcO36-XnC1I/AAAAAAAAEE4/vLpqivSj3Z8jxolDkugjRp62YbV3cTBUwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2ndAnd4th.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="994" height="366" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-js3ytyFIJrA/XcO36-XnC1I/AAAAAAAAEE4/vLpqivSj3Z8jxolDkugjRp62YbV3cTBUwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2ndAnd4th.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here are the pork chops at the infamous 4th and 2nd Ave intersection. The kids that presented to City Council spoke extensively about how dangerous this intersection for them biking home from school. Good news is we heard that the City has started planning for re-design of this intersection!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dM4Q4HmT3ys/XcO36zi_lAI/AAAAAAAAEE0/Psz9GTraaKQ08xyc7pVeiogB-rdrB33UgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2ndAndQuartz.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="607" height="452" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dM4Q4HmT3ys/XcO36zi_lAI/AAAAAAAAEE0/Psz9GTraaKQ08xyc7pVeiogB-rdrB33UgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2ndAndQuartz.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is the 2nd and Quartz Rd. intersection. Look at the convoluted path (sorry about my crude drawing) that a pedestrian has to follow to cross Quartz Rd. What a pain in the a; not good for making your walk convenient. Also, those right-hand turning cars are moving fast across those uncontrolled pedestrian crossings. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gWY0Eitzc-M/XcO_v1a5CII/AAAAAAAAEFg/2UhjbQcf76AeTsgqtAj_z1OhepijPYbUQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/AKHwy2MilePorkchops2_path.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="707" data-original-width="1106" height="408" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gWY0Eitzc-M/XcO_v1a5CII/AAAAAAAAEFg/2UhjbQcf76AeTsgqtAj_z1OhepijPYbUQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/AKHwy2MilePorkchops2_path.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is Alaska Highway and 2-Mile Hill. Imagine if you are an on-road cyclists trying to go northbound. You have to first cross the high-speed right-turning traffic, then move through the intersection, then again change lanes across the northbound traffic coming from 2-mile Hill. Scary for even the most bold of cyclists, never mind pulling children in a Chariot! Anyone who has ridden through the recently re-built <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/dJFeESZvkswDGDg69">Lewes Blvd and Hospital Road intersection</a> can attest to these hazards. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dgeV2W0ERRg/XcO39PN8XjI/AAAAAAAAEFI/rVVS4yjh_0gOUIJQGIumpmuwkpcBpHjgwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/kelona.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="924" height="432" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dgeV2W0ERRg/XcO39PN8XjI/AAAAAAAAEFI/rVVS4yjh_0gOUIJQGIumpmuwkpcBpHjgwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/kelona.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is are examples of pork-chops from the highway through Kelowna. At YG's recent <a href="https://www.evensi.ca/paving-future-transportation-safety-yukon-beringia-centre/339104284">public seminar on road safety</a>, highway-safety expert Paul LaFleur cited the highway through Kelowna as a bad example and not what you want to do for a highway through a City. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Some years ago we did an an-hoc survey of all the "problematic" intersections for cyclists in Whitehorse. Interestingly, all of the "problem" intersections correlated 1:1 to intersections with pork-chops. <br />
<br />
Also, cities are actively removing "pork chops" because of the
barriers they create for non-motorists; here is an example from London
Ontario:<a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/pork-chop-islands-getting-axed-1.4366890"> https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/pork-chop-islands-getting-axed-1.4366890</a> <br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b> Refuge Islands</b></u><br />
<br />
So how do we make intersection safer for pedestrian and cyclists? The contemporary solution is a "refuge island." This is a protected space (created by a median) between the two different directions of travel, see an example below: <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0qeMwvxpwkc/XcO37WrclFI/AAAAAAAAEFY/a3t-NohPjL09BeoRY5uLmbujRLDv0V2KgCEwYBhgL/s1600/ExampleIsland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0qeMwvxpwkc/XcO37WrclFI/AAAAAAAAEFY/a3t-NohPjL09BeoRY5uLmbujRLDv0V2KgCEwYBhgL/s640/ExampleIsland.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Refuge island between the two directions of road travel (from left-to-right). This is a Dutch example, they have so much bike traffic they provide separate spaces for pedestrians and cyclists!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The refuge island makes the crossing distance shorter for vulnerable road users. I've seen at least two examples of why this is important:</div>
<ol>
<li>Children cognitively have a difficult time both keeping track of traffic from two directions AND the relative speed of the vehicles. Thus crossing two different directions at the same time is dangerous for them as they can't judge the space/distances well. A refuge island allows them to cross one-direction at at time.</li>
<li>I have a personal example when travelling in Mexico with my aging father last year. The community we were in divided the roadways and in doing so created refuge islands at the crosswalks. My father is getting increasingly stiff and so walks slowly. The refuge island allowed him to cross the roadways, one direction/lane at a time.</li>
</ol>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In signalized intersections refuge islands are also needed because we allow cars to turn right on red lights and thus cars traverse the cross-walk even when the walk signal is illuminated. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fSB7k1wA7Po/XcO38Qv7C-I/AAAAAAAAEFE/Xlgm8teont0flbykvAloOAjcqdKqnpInQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RefugeIsland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="1000" height="372" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fSB7k1wA7Po/XcO38Qv7C-I/AAAAAAAAEFE/Xlgm8teont0flbykvAloOAjcqdKqnpInQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/RefugeIsland.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is a schematic of a refuge island from busy roads in city of Amsterdam. Notice the refuge space created between in the two directions of travel. Again, because of their bike volumes the pedestrians and cyclists have separate spaces. This is also a good example of a<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protected_intersection"> Protected Intersection</a>. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />Forest Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16193171762364731123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2167385752198380950.post-75043263298938097282019-10-29T21:19:00.003-07:002019-10-29T21:20:01.013-07:00A ride on the new Alaska Highway bike pathThis weekend I took a ride on the recently completed new multi-use path (MUP) paralleling the Alaska Highway from the north end of the airport to Range Road. It was built as part of Yukon Government's widening/twinning of the Alaska Highway through this area.<br />
<br />
It is a nicely paved section of trail that partially extends the MUP 800 m further northward from the airport trail. It ends abruptly partially along Range Road and is not connected to anything at this time. YG stated that City of Whitehorse will complete the trail northward to 2-Mile Hill at some point in the future (City has yet to confirm when this might occur).<br />
<br />
Since we will hopefully starting to build a lot more protected spaces for cyclists in the coming years, I'm going to focus on "lessons learned" from YG's first attempt at this type of infrastructure:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xy1nSlyjJMA/XbkEn-35JgI/AAAAAAAAEDg/Vw_m-Wh9cY0sbzebirVEDcK3RDtrrZZgACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xy1nSlyjJMA/XbkEn-35JgI/AAAAAAAAEDg/Vw_m-Wh9cY0sbzebirVEDcK3RDtrrZZgACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_1326.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start of the new path. Nice smooth asphalt, good gentle grade. LESSONS LEARNED: no drainage on the up-slope side, especially runoff
from the highway will result in ice accumulating on the path, leading
down to the intersection in the foreground. PS - this gate is terrible!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PAPK-AbkpSE/XbkEku0RjMI/AAAAAAAAEDY/54albzqhb0IQkLpmUXmzyKdiE7HpwQoSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PAPK-AbkpSE/XbkEku0RjMI/AAAAAAAAEDY/54albzqhb0IQkLpmUXmzyKdiE7HpwQoSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_1328.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T-junction at Range Road. Main path loops off to the right unnecessarily. Note already the pedestrian in distance has left the path to walk directly via the road! I suspect this is what many will do. LESSON LEARNED: Keep bike paths straight, convenient and designed for 30km/hr. They need to be designed like a road with no unnecessary turns, bends or hills. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tGMoJWJd-Ac/XbkEn2EAouI/AAAAAAAAEDc/PAQOpysIh9cjpP1GxzDWBcyVPYlugj6MgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tGMoJWJd-Ac/XbkEn2EAouI/AAAAAAAAEDc/PAQOpysIh9cjpP1GxzDWBcyVPYlugj6MgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_1330.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Path looping around Range Road. This route causes the path to cross three driveways/entrances that could have been avoided if the path crossed Range Road at the signalized intersection with Alaska Highway. LESSON LEARNED: Plan cycle routes to minimize interruptions and crossing with motor vehicle traffic. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tqDTELozffY/XbkEqs8gdaI/AAAAAAAAEDk/TA9WvU9cW9E_l3SU9porqfqSFNZi-kfJgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tqDTELozffY/XbkEqs8gdaI/AAAAAAAAEDk/TA9WvU9cW9E_l3SU9porqfqSFNZi-kfJgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_1332.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pedestrian crossing of Range Road at Alaska Highway (signal lights remains to be installed). This is where the MUP should have crossed Range Road as a<a href="https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/06/18/here-are-the-four-elements-of-a-cyclist-friendly-protected-intersection.html"> Protected Intersection</a>. Nice cut-through of the "pork chop", but the pork-chop is very problematic for road-cyclists. The create a difficult and dangerous situation for cyclists and should not be used. LESSON LEARNED: Do no use pork chops as they create unnecessary difficulty and hazard for cyclists and inconveniences for pedestrians. A refuge island between the lanes would be the better, safer solution. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DK_9Z-tl3e4/XbkEtqeN7bI/AAAAAAAAEDo/nx3DVWFhT68MFc7tgRwfKXmN1ztplLsbwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DK_9Z-tl3e4/XbkEtqeN7bI/AAAAAAAAEDo/nx3DVWFhT68MFc7tgRwfKXmN1ztplLsbwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_1335.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alaska Highway Crossing to unpaved trail on west side of highway, leading to Valleyview. Note the trail sloping down to crossing. LESSONS LEARNED: We need to 1) avoid unnecessary climbs on bike paths; and 2) if there is a decent, drop the trail well in advance of the roadway crossing so cyclists are not carrying excess speed coming into the intersection. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3Z7-p-Gliw/XbkEuqgjOoI/AAAAAAAAEDs/98E4vWSUJKwtoCMadtGgdIkwcZJwC8MNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3Z7-p-Gliw/XbkEuqgjOoI/AAAAAAAAEDs/98E4vWSUJKwtoCMadtGgdIkwcZJwC8MNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_1337.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking towards the mid-block crossing where the trail crosses Range Road. Note the additional driveway crossing here at Toyota.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V7sSTtnpsXU/XbkEyNDa0lI/AAAAAAAAED0/3hyxQUKEo8AlDZL5P3myzm9XkLOiPk2fwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V7sSTtnpsXU/XbkEyNDa0lI/AAAAAAAAED0/3hyxQUKEo8AlDZL5P3myzm9XkLOiPk2fwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_1340.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back south towards the airport. Note, contrary to YG staffs' claim, there is ample space between Range Road (on the left) and the Alaska Highway (on the right) to accommodate the trail directly to the intersection in the distance. LESSON LEARNED: Cycle paths should be as straight and direct as possible and do not require much space. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_GJewHDbW1o/XbkE2ac4BfI/AAAAAAAAEEA/OMiHPhWOJN8E5UaTpMb6NJt1EPfCq-N7gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_GJewHDbW1o/XbkE2ac4BfI/AAAAAAAAEEA/OMiHPhWOJN8E5UaTpMb6NJt1EPfCq-N7gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_1341.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Again the path looking southward. Some sections are well elevated with ditching on both sides, however other locations like this one do not have a ditch between the road and the path. At this location, melting snow runoff will flow from the road onto the path, creating ice on the path. LESSON LEARNED: provide good drainage and ditching for bike paths, same as done for roadways. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuR0pF2Ndeo/XbkE4IRfd9I/AAAAAAAAEEE/OSbEEpbyIKs4PnVO5scOrqptvmn2-rL5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuR0pF2Ndeo/XbkE4IRfd9I/AAAAAAAAEEE/OSbEEpbyIKs4PnVO5scOrqptvmn2-rL5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_1342.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here is the abrupt north end of the path. A path to nowhere. LESSON LEARNED: To build a cycle network, it needs to connect. With $6 million spent on this project, it is shame that path couldn't have gone another 500m north to connect with the multi-use path at 2-Mile Hill. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u><b>Summary:</b></u><br />
Well, it is great to see another piece of the Alaska CycleHighway being built. Certainly the lack of a paved path between airport trail and Range Road was a missing piece. However, for spending $6 million of public funds to build additional highway lanes that are not needed, the cycling component is disappointing. <br />
<br />
<b>Overall verdict:</b> <i>Should have done better. </i>Forest Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16193171762364731123noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2167385752198380950.post-38985823838598816242019-10-12T00:27:00.002-07:002019-10-12T09:58:27.961-07:00How can Yukon Government Support Cycling in Whitehorse<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I was
recently asked what role Yukon Government (YG) has in developing cycling as a
mainstream mode of transportation within the City of Whitehorse?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Most of the
roads and trails within Whitehorse are the City’s responsibility, but Yukon
Government plays a role in enhancing cycling in at least 6 areas:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">There will be a forthcoming <a href="https://online.engageyukon.ca/project/integratedstrategy">Climate Change, Energy and Green Economy Strategy</a> that is to replace the existing separate Climate, Energy
and Biomass Strategies.</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><u style="text-indent: -18pt;">This new
Strategy should set overall direction for government to increase support for sustainable
transportation</u><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">.</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">One aspect for this
could be subsidies for electric vehicles.</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">I hope this includes full subsidy for e-bikes as the GHG reductions for an
e-bike is FAR higher than an electric car.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Updating the </span><i style="text-indent: -18pt;">Motor Vehicles Act</i><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> to become a more inclusive Road Safety Act (as
per the resolution passed by the Association of Yukon Communities in 2019).</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">This should include several measures and
changes that make cycling safer and reduce barriers to convenient cycling.
Whitehorse Urban Cycling Coalition provided input into the </span><a href="https://engageyukon.ca/en/2019/motor-vehicles-act" style="text-indent: -18pt;">Motor Vehicle Re-write</a><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">
and we look forward to all of that input being reflected in the new act.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Y</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">G provides funding for projects,
either directly from its resources, or through bilateral funding.</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">The bilateral funding is Federal money that
flows to the Yukon Government which then in turn is used to fund municipal
infrastructure projects.</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">This includes
both Gas Tax and more significantly, funding from the </span><a href="https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/about-invest-apropos-eng.html" style="text-indent: -18pt;">Investing
in Canada Infrastructure Program</a><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">.</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">This latter is moving so much money to the Yukon that the municipalities
cannot spend it all.</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">In the words of the
municipal mangers “[capital] money is not the limitation; it is our capacity to
manage the projects that is the barrier.”</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Thus, YG plays a key gatekeeper role to funding municipal infrastructure
projects.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">The Alaska Highway is a key transportation
corridor that slices through Whitehorse and it is owned and managed by Yukon
Government.</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">It is used daily by citizens
to move about Whitehorse and as such is a major opportunity, or as seen recently,
barrier to cycling.</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">The Alaska Highway
acts as a major barrier or wall segregating Whitehorse in two halves.</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">But, since YG controls this land, they can
build infrastructure that promote safe, convenient cycling connections both across
the highway and along it.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Schools are a major destination for
cyclists in Whitehorse (many, being underage, do not have the privilege of
operating a motor vehicle).</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Department
of Education has the resources and responsibility to provide safe routes to school.</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> T</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">hey can enhance connectivity on-school
property to the cycle network.</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Furthermore,
they could invest in active transportation routes & connections to the
schools.</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Kids who arrive at school by
active transportation (cycling or walking) are known to have better education
outcomes.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Lastly, YG is the largest employer in
downtown Whitehorse.</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">They own and operate
many workplaces, and like schools, can facilitate active transportation to
those workplaces.</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">This would include
both onsite infrastructures to support cycling such as high quality, covered,
secure bike parking, workplace showers/change rooms as well as physical, convenient
connectivity to the adjacent bike network.</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">These measures would help make cycling to work easier and more convenient,
thus reducing barriers to cycle commuting.</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> </span></li>
</ol>
The more Yukon
Government supports cycling through the measures above, it improves cycling for
EVERYONE through the force multiplier effect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yukon Government just declared a “Climate Emergency” this week and here
is a tangible way to put that declaration in action, save money and help build
a healthier, happier community.<br />
<br />
<br />Forest Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16193171762364731123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2167385752198380950.post-75806669771336147312018-11-17T14:11:00.001-08:002018-11-17T19:30:45.294-08:00Pedestrian & Bike Underpass of Alaska Highway?Crossing of the Alaska Highway by bike or foot is a challenge. There are no designated crossing points of the highway between the lights at 2-Mile Hill to the north and the lights 6 km to the south at Robert Service Way. Yet we have a major multi-use path between downtown and the neighborhoods west of the Highway at the north end of the airport there are no safe crossing points. Not only for cyclists, but there is considerable pedestrian travel from McIntyre and Hillcrest, walking downtown around the north end of the Airport.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b0ymEn871YM/W_CNISHCQ3I/AAAAAAAAEAg/k7K6azxsYXsoft4AAkNuZsWUtJBIcuDOwCLcBGAs/s1600/AKHighway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b0ymEn871YM/W_CNISHCQ3I/AAAAAAAAEAg/k7K6azxsYXsoft4AAkNuZsWUtJBIcuDOwCLcBGAs/s640/AKHighway.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excerpt from Whitehorse current Cycle Commuting Map.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So in the age of extravagant spending on highways, why not providing a safe, separated crossing of the Alaska Highway? This would not only benefit cyclists, but also all the walkers; by separating the crossing it would not inconvenience drivers either. Although this may seem a bit of a radical idea for 1950's-era Whitehorse, in progressive sustainable transportation countries it is the common way of keeping vulnerable road uses safe when crossing major roads: they recognize that the two modes are not compatible and need separated spaces.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xihhK4_Mh7U/W_COtfo4oWI/AAAAAAAAEAw/JaxY2ZNa0qw25ecRwXuBcm2lsV1keetZQCLcBGAs/s1600/New%2BPicture%2B%252817%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="358" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xihhK4_Mh7U/W_COtfo4oWI/AAAAAAAAEAw/JaxY2ZNa0qw25ecRwXuBcm2lsV1keetZQCLcBGAs/s640/New%2BPicture%2B%252817%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cycleway underpass in Oulu, Finland. Note large comfortable size that accommodates snow clearing equipment (https://youtu.be/iOfuNAgCMJ4)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I would propose the underpass be located at the north end of the airport. This location would service both Hillcrest and folks coming down from McIntyre. Also if the trail on the west side were extended to Valleyview folks could use the underpass to access downtown via the airport/Black Street gully stairs. It is already grade-separated on the east-side so only only the west side would need to have a ramp down from the trail. Here is what it could look like:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KDDgAL7SxYI/W_CM7rvHOyI/AAAAAAAAEAk/CLF6L3ucDr0jFYpYs0v0FZ2jVLZnmA3QgCEwYBhgL/s1600/AlaskaHwyUnderpass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="529" data-original-width="517" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KDDgAL7SxYI/W_CM7rvHOyI/AAAAAAAAEAk/CLF6L3ucDr0jFYpYs0v0FZ2jVLZnmA3QgCEwYBhgL/s640/AlaskaHwyUnderpass.jpg" width="624" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proposed location for Alaska Highway underpass at north end of Airport.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I did some calculations: A 3.6 m high underpass can be accommodated under the highway here. (3.6 m is a recommended height I found in a reference that can accommodate snow clearing equipment). It should be a big, open, lighted box underpass that is lit and inviting, not a dank culvert such as used on Hamilton Blvd (<a href="https://bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2016/11/15/a-roundabout-bypass-in-goes/">look to the dutch examples to see how to do these right</a>). The path would slope up from the airport trail at 3% grade through the underpass. Then on the west side the trail would need to gain another 2.5 to 3 m to reach the elevation of the ditch on the west side. This would be a ramp down of about 55 m long at 5% (which is the <a href="https://vancouver.ca/files/cov/design-guidelines-for-all-ages-and-abilities-cycling-routes.pdf">recommended maximum grade for All Ages and Abilities (AAA) cycleways</a>). It would be tight on the west side so some retaining walls would likely be required at the underpass entrance, but these are used in many places around Whitehorse (Pelly Construction's yard on Industrial Road, Robert Service Way/Millennium Trail, etc.) So it is all do-able.<br />
<br />
If we are willing to spend millions on the Alaska Highway, why shouldn't we expect some safe, separated infrastructure for vulnerable road users too?<br />
<br />
<br />Forest Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16193171762364731123noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2167385752198380950.post-37493655164633026632018-10-23T21:45:00.001-07:002018-10-25T18:09:08.822-07:00A first look at Whitehorse's Newest (and Last?) Bike LanesAfter a summer of work, the entire length of the rebuilt portion of 6th Avenue downtown has opened back up. It was rebuilt from Ogilvie Street at the north end to Jarvis Street at the south. Folks may remember that this section of 6th Ave had a lot of potholes, gravel boulevards, no curbs and sidewalk only on one side.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vqte4JEIlPQ/W9JgqC7TVEI/AAAAAAAAD_Y/5_lung0yuroRpi0IGEo8ckpcYzG8g_zHgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vqte4JEIlPQ/W9JgqC7TVEI/AAAAAAAAD_Y/5_lung0yuroRpi0IGEo8ckpcYzG8g_zHgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0880.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
But now the rebuilt 6-block long section of street has been developed as a "<a href="http://completestreetsforcanada.ca/">Complete Street</a>", that means it is supposed to be inclusive of all road users, not just cars. It has sidewalks on both sides, BIKE LANES and two car travel lanes. The City of Whitehorse consulted with <a href="http://wucc.ca/">Whitehorse Urban Cycling Coalition</a> (WUCC) in the design of the street back in 2016. At that time, the Coalition felt that 6th Ave was not the priority for a major investment in cycling infrastructure and as such was supportive of use of basic bike lanes on the street. From the looks of the completed project, the City pretty much fully implemented the <br />
recommendations of the Coalition at that time.<br />
<br />
<i>But why might these be the last new bike lanes in Whitehorse?</i> In 2018 the City, at the urging of WUCC, developed the <a href="https://www.whitehorse.ca/departments/planning-sustainability-services/transportation/cycle/bicycle-network-plan">Bicycle Network Plan</a>. This is a long-range planning document that envisions a fully connected cycling network for the City. A key component is the adoption of a more contemporary approach to cycling infrastructure: recognizing that cyclists of All Ages and Abilities need separated, safe cycling spaces when road speeds exceed 30 km/hr. Under such a model (which is adopted by progressive cycling communities and countries), on-road bike lanes are not used because they recognize the incompatibility of high-speed motor vehicles and an inclusive view of cycling. The Whitehorse Bicycle Network Plan largely recommends a network of "protected cycleways" and separated cycle spaces. So, if implemented as planned, there are unlikely to be any new un-protected cycling spaces (aka "bike lanes")<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yGnqD01GuNY/W9AElOF6C1I/AAAAAAAAD_I/ztkm9XzX_h8DCEa7WOQP1AXkCCU-HC5gwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/6thAveBikeLanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="1015" height="203" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yGnqD01GuNY/W9AElOF6C1I/AAAAAAAAD_I/ztkm9XzX_h8DCEa7WOQP1AXkCCU-HC5gwCPcBGAYYCw/s400/6thAveBikeLanes.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note disconnected nature of bike infrastructure today.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QzH0jLZB96g/W9AFNontGMI/AAAAAAAAD_Q/E7YDrAYulQIXlO85fB9sbgCG32YY9udCgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/BikePlan6thAve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="812" height="182" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QzH0jLZB96g/W9AFNontGMI/AAAAAAAAD_Q/E7YDrAYulQIXlO85fB9sbgCG32YY9udCgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/BikePlan6thAve.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proposed Bicycle Network for downtown Whitehorse (from Bicycle Network Plan)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
None the less, it is always great to have new cycling infrastructure, so let's take a look:<br />
<br />
The bike lanes are a full 1.5 m wide, which is wider than some of the older bike lanes in town, such as Lewes Blvd or 4th Ave north of Ogilvie. The bike lanes appear to be demarked according to the current Canadian standards (which are okay, but certainly not to the progressive standards such as used in Netherlands and other cycle-leader countries). This includes the cycle symbol painted on the roadway on either side of every intersection and signage noting the bike lane at every intersection. The bike symbol itself is in a raised "paint" that is quite rough to ride over. I wonder how these marking will survive winter plowing? The lines-marking lines themselves are recessed into the asphalt, such as what was done on the south half of 4th Ave, so hopefully they will last longer.<br />
<br />
The roadway was designed to slow motor vehicles and make the road more community friendly. Of course, this includes the roundabout* at Black Street. The re-build has "tightened" the turning through the roundabout, so it does slow you down to drive a motor vehicle through it. Interestingly, the bike lane itself goes almost straight through the roundabout, making it pretty easy to ride through (single file as the sign says!)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uJu0aNvzS-g/W9JhAq68f7I/AAAAAAAAD_g/7Tv1d6AQJCI_fUIIm4RBMjnP54CpEEgSwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uJu0aNvzS-g/W9JhAq68f7I/AAAAAAAAD_g/7Tv1d6AQJCI_fUIIm4RBMjnP54CpEEgSwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0883.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Other elements to "slow" motorists down include:<br />
<ul>
<li>Parallel parking along the street (parking spots are 2.4 m wide plus an extra 0.6 m as a "door zone" to reduce risk of door-ing on the bike lane; parallel parking is good because it causes motorists to be more alert and cautious)</li>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yMCXcRrj6Hk/W9JhBSl2rfI/AAAAAAAAD_k/g9IJBcNmqUoSV2txUTgeJ8Us3IPonGtYQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yMCXcRrj6Hk/W9JhBSl2rfI/AAAAAAAAD_k/g9IJBcNmqUoSV2txUTgeJ8Us3IPonGtYQCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_0881.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note space between parked car and bike lane to help reduce risk of "door-ing"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<li>Curb extensions at intersections to narrow the roadway, making a shorter crossing distance for pedestrians; and</li>
<li>Narrow travel lanes, only 3.0 m wide, which makes the road feel "skinny". Again it will be interesting to see what happens in the winter.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br />
So that is the good, but what are learning for improvement for the next project?</div>
<br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3VYePllk3Y4/W9JhEvQWi7I/AAAAAAAAD_8/nOQnHDjoUW0iV3vAX5vkAQfpDFZ6cw4WgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3VYePllk3Y4/W9JhEvQWi7I/AAAAAAAAD_8/nOQnHDjoUW0iV3vAX5vkAQfpDFZ6cw4WgCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_0890.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">End of bike lane at Jarvis St.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>Well, it is a bike lane. As I discussed above, that is a bit of an antiquated type of cycle infrastructure now;</li>
<li>It is a bike lane from nowhere to nowhere. It is not connected to a bike network (as is currently the problem with almost all of our City's bike infrastructure), at least for now. At minimum it would be good if the bike lanes stripes could be extended southward past Main Street to the south end of 6th Ave at Lambert St. (I think that is a reasonable ask of the City); and<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
</li>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8qO9lBHzIvU/W9JhDd7kzeI/AAAAAAAAD_4/RgguA-G5p3054rdSKYlw5qbh3eIf2EjcACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8qO9lBHzIvU/W9JhDd7kzeI/AAAAAAAAD_4/RgguA-G5p3054rdSKYlw5qbh3eIf2EjcACEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_0885.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lip at curb-cuts makes for some unnecessarily rough riding. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<li>All of the curb-cuts (where the curb drops down, for example at ally-way entries) have a terrible inch-high "lip" that makes for an unnecessary hard bump/hit on your bike when you roll over them. I don't know why they didn't make them smooth like their accessible curb-cuts at cross walks. Perhaps this is something we can get the City to address in their Servicing Standards for future project. </li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Go for bike ride and check it out before the snow comes!</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
* the roundabout at Black was built a few years ago. My elementary-school age son has been walking through this intersection since kindergarten, some years before the roundabout was built. Since it was built, we've seen crossing busy 6th Avenue has been much easier and safer for him. These mini-roundabout really do work for making safer streets for all road users.</div>
<br />
<br />Forest Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16193171762364731123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2167385752198380950.post-31201113982656234752017-09-13T21:21:00.002-07:002017-09-14T22:28:18.191-07:00An idea to help balance Yukon's books: Stop subsidizing oil and gas.The current Yukon Government realized they are going to be
facing a $40-$60million shortfall (deficit) starting in 2018.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So they convened the Financial Advisory Panel
to think up what to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This group did
some online consultation this summer, which I did not hear about and missed the
opportunity to provide input on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now
they are doing consultation in the communities and an online survey (see<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://yukonplans.ca/">https://yukonplans.ca/</a>)
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here is my suggestion to help address this
deficit:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u><b>stop subsidizing the use of oil
and gas </b></u>(propane).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This post is a bit of
a work in progress as I mull through this idea, but I thought I’d get the idea
out there now and update/revise this post as I think the matter through further.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If this topic piques your interests,
please check back and I’ll provide more specifics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Based on my breakfast-table estimates this morning, I figure
Yukon Government foregoes somewhere between $10million and $20million per year
in revenues by subsidizing consumption of fossil fuels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The perversity of these subsidies are:<br />
<ol>
<li>Yukon produces no oil or gas, so there are no benefits flowing to Yukon from
these subsidies (increasing oil and gas consumption does not benefit our economy); </li>
<li>almost every dollar spent on oil and gas is a direct loss
to the Yukon economy (all of those dollars are economic leakage and leave the
Yukon); and </li>
<li>for most of the uses, we have made-in-Yukon cleaner, safer alternatives
and solutions that would keep the money in the Yukon.</li>
</ol>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Yukon subsidizes fuel usage in two ways: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>firstly, Yukon has the lowest tax rate on
gasoline in the Canada at $0.062/L. This is less than HALF the rate changed in any Province (lowest is
Alberta at $0.13/L.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That alone is worth $4million a year on tax
revenue!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Secondly, Yukon offers tax
exceptions on burning oil and propane for heating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That means NO tax charged on these hazardous
materials that are costing us a lot (for example spill cleanups, leaky tanks,
heath-care costs, deaths by carbon monoxide poisoning, etc.).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tax
exceptions (which are subsidies) are also issued for commercial use such as
mining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, there may be industries
that we want to help support, but giving them a subsidy for how much fuel they
burn is crazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wouldn’t it be much
better to give those vulnerable industries direct support that is in someway
inversely proportional to their success?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These total tax breaks, based on the current tax rate of $0.072/L for
diesel (which is what heating oil) is worth about $6million a year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
I have a lot more specifics and details on this
which I hope to write up and post here, but this is the gist of the idea
now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you think this idea has merit and
it seems wrong to your for government to raise your income taxes or cut service,
but continue to subsidize burning of these dangerous and polluting substances,
then please go to <a href="https://yukonplans.ca/">https://yukonplans.ca/</a>
and complete the survey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Participate in
the public meetings if you can.<br />
<br />
<h2>
The Details:</h2>
<h3>
Current Fuel Taxes</h3>
<ul>
<li>Yukon has lowest fuel taxes in the country. See:<a href="http://retail.petro-canada.ca/en/fuelsavings/gas-taxes-canada.aspx" target="_blank"> http://retail.petro-canada.ca/en/fuelsavings/gas-taxes-canada.aspx</a></li>
<li>Current Yukon Fuel Taxes on gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel: <a href="http://www.finance.gov.yk.ca/fueltax.html">http://www.finance.gov.yk.ca/fueltax.html</a>. Note "no tax" on propane. Really? </li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />Forest Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16193171762364731123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2167385752198380950.post-68736886009290982622016-11-13T18:28:00.000-08:002016-11-13T18:30:55.241-08:00Two months of Solar Hot Water monitoring<h3>
October's Performance </h3>
With October done we now have a second month of data from the <a href="http://forestpearson.blogspot.ca/2016/09/solar-domestic-hot-water-monitoring.html" target="_blank">Solar Domestic Hot Water monitoring project</a>. In <a href="http://forestpearson.blogspot.ca/2016/10/first-month-of-solar-hot-water.html" target="_blank">September </a>we had relatively good performance with 41% of the water heating needs supplied by the solar panel. October on the other had great sun for about a week mid-month, but then was much cloudier, shorter days and substantively lower performance. Here is both September and October's graphs so you can compare the two months:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vrOAlSKC3HE/V-9bU7ZORvI/AAAAAAAAD6Y/AaC8ad1aHVEJ7xoysN_2hF_GwQwuE4WqwCPcB/s1600/Sept2016SDHWData.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vrOAlSKC3HE/V-9bU7ZORvI/AAAAAAAAD6Y/AaC8ad1aHVEJ7xoysN_2hF_GwQwuE4WqwCPcB/s400/Sept2016SDHWData.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ijmcPj5ffDM/WCkZ1tVfbUI/AAAAAAAAD7w/kgc9ZVRoUmAp3vYc2LSTGoCGn2EBLozvwCLcB/s1600/OctoberSDHW2016.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ijmcPj5ffDM/WCkZ1tVfbUI/AAAAAAAAD7w/kgc9ZVRoUmAp3vYc2LSTGoCGn2EBLozvwCLcB/s400/OctoberSDHW2016.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Again, a few observations:<br />
<ol>
<li>Total energy used this month for hot water heating was up 79 kWh to 356 kWh of energy put into the heating of hot water. Of this only 15%, or 52 kWh was solar supplied. The higher energy use this month could possibly be explained because the basement is heated off of the hot water system. I did observe that the basement's infloor heating system was running periodically to supply heat to the basement. </li>
<li>The amount of solar heat collected this month was again lower than modelled (52 kWh vs. 80 kWh modelled). Also, as a percentage, the solar fraction as only 15% which was slightly lower than predicted at 16%. </li>
<li>The total amount of energy actually delivered as hot water was about the same as last month: 131 kWh. September was 127 kWh, so it looks like hot water usage was consistent with last month. </li>
</ol>
<h3>
There Goes the Sun</h3>
Below is a picture of the solar collector and the sun at about noon on November 6th. As you can see the sun isn't really clearing the trees much. The sun now goes behind the escarpment downtown shortly after 3pm. You can see the solar panel itself mounted on the veranda roof (behind the power pole.) So from this point forward, it doesn't like the system will be collecting any heat until February.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cJOKh8bmLoo/WCkfz72spvI/AAAAAAAAD8A/jGE6YzUmudUXoM2VlJtXaizK3d9uAn_PQCLcB/s1600/IMG_8517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cJOKh8bmLoo/WCkfz72spvI/AAAAAAAAD8A/jGE6YzUmudUXoM2VlJtXaizK3d9uAn_PQCLcB/s640/IMG_8517.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Forest Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16193171762364731123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2167385752198380950.post-84424713936980859222016-10-08T13:02:00.001-07:002016-10-08T13:05:02.815-07:00Why a Carbon Tax is good for the Yukon’s economy<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-CA</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="372">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve been really confused by the Yukon Party’s opposition to the
carbon tax.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems they don’t understand
the Yukon’s economy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It needs to be said that in fact a carbon tax will be <b>GOOD </b>for the Yukon’s
economy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is for two reasons: </div>
<br />
<br />
1. The productive part of the Yukon’s economy
actually has a very low carbon intensity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have a highly educated workforce and most of our economy is not
resource intensive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mining, oil &
gas are only about 13% of Yukon’s GDP (see Yukon Bureau of Statistics’ <a href="http://www.eco.gov.yk.ca/stats/pdf/gdp_2014.pdf">Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) by Industry 2014</a>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because mining
produces a product (metal), that actually overstates the value of the resource
industry when it comes to jobs and salaries paid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore the bulk of our economy is
low-carbon intensity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a carbon tax,
the Yukon’s economy is more competitive relative to carbon-intense economies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words, the Yukon will perform better
relative to other provinces when carbon taxes come into play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> This is a basic of economics: do what you are good at and the Yukon is good at having a low-carbon intensity economy.</span><br />
<br />
The Yukon also has excellent opportunity
to further de-carbonize our economy by increasingly switching to renewable energy (primarily
hydropower, but also biomass and to a lesser extent wind and solar).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other jurisdictions do no have the natural resources
to produce renewable energy that the Yukon does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As such, the Yukon can readily further reduce
its exposure to carbon taxes and become even more competitive. <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Use of fossil fuels represents a significant economic
leakage for the Yukon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2013 the Yukon
consumed about 226 million litres of gas, diesel (inc. heating fuel and jet
fuel) and propane (see <a href="http://www.energy.gov.yk.ca/pdf/yukon_transportation_sector_ghg_emissions_final_march_2015.pdf">Yukon
Greenhouse Gas Emissions: the Transportation Sector, 2015</a>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we assume this is about $1/L, that is $226,000,000
that left the Yukon with just about no economic benefit to the Yukon (we
essentially burned that money).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any
reduction in fuel usage will result in more money staying in the Yukon’s economy
and can be put to more production use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For example, the money could be used by Yukoners for arts,
entertainment, culture, health care, education or just about anything will be
more useful that burning the money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
will also help build the local economy since more resources will be used and
consumed locally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even a 10% reduction
in fuel usage will be $22 million dollars that would be repatriated to the
Yukon’s economy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is almost exactly
at 1% increase in our GDP which would have wiped out the GPD decline the Yukon experienced
in 2013 and 2014.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another thing that makes me mad is the rhetoric does not
reflect the realities of <u>math</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The carbon tax will have almost no measurable impact on the price of
goods (and zero impact of the cost of services) because the amount of fuel used
to transport goods to the Yukon is very very small relative to the value of the
goods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where you will see the difference
is at the gas pump and on heating fuel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But it is not much of a difference:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>the $10/tonne tax will be about $0.02 /L at the pump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yup, that is it: less than the price difference
between gas stations and less than the difference between regular and
premium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you drive the speed limit
and drive conservatively, you will increase your fuel economy by 10% which more
than offsets the fuel price increase of 1.7%.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any
driver can fully mitigate the any fuel price increase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
Forest Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16193171762364731123noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2167385752198380950.post-53499011116494077432016-10-01T00:28:00.001-07:002016-10-01T00:28:03.285-07:00First month of Solar Hot Water monitoring dataWith the end of September we now have our first full month of energy monitoring data for the solar domestic hot water (SDHW) at 704B Wood Street (see<a href="http://forestpearson.blogspot.ca/2016/09/solar-domestic-hot-water-monitoring.html" target="_blank"> http://forestpearson.blogspot.ca/2016/09/solar-domestic-hot-water-monitoring.html</a> for background).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pZFwtMD9dhg/V-9WYzIbbEI/AAAAAAAAD6E/g4IKKbxZK4g5gpfbyLIUo0PVKARSO5WmwCLcB/s1600/IMG-2016-09-30-Elec1Panelv2_IPV.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pZFwtMD9dhg/V-9WYzIbbEI/AAAAAAAAD6E/g4IKKbxZK4g5gpfbyLIUo0PVKARSO5WmwCLcB/s400/IMG-2016-09-30-Elec1Panelv2_IPV.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Since September is an equinox month (average day/night) we can kind of assume it is representative of annual average sunlight. So it is fortuitous that the first month of monitoring has been September as it gives us some indication of what annual performance might be. <br />
<br />
And the result? Significantly <u>less </u>saving than predicted by the energy model. The interesting thing is it does not seem to be due to system performance (which is performing better modeled), but due to a more insidious factor: <b>Conservation</b>! Basically the residents of the home are not using enough hot water to realize the potential of the system. This is because there are a number of hot water saving measures designed into the house (including a very large drain water heat recovery system), that there are only 2 to 3 occupants in the house and lastly the residents are very energy conscience and therefore don't use a lot of hot water.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The first rule of energy conservation wins yet again: reduce the consumption first before looking at efficiency, and only then (last) is renewable energy generation (which is what the SDHW system is.) </i><br />
<br />
Below is a graph of September's energy performance of the system. I'll explain the three bars and the preliminary findings below:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vrOAlSKC3HE/V-9bU7ZORvI/AAAAAAAAD6U/8_twJgOlHZ0gHveYPrpDZCO9L1kRdg4CACLcB/s1600/Sept2016SDHWData.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vrOAlSKC3HE/V-9bU7ZORvI/AAAAAAAAD6U/8_twJgOlHZ0gHveYPrpDZCO9L1kRdg4CACLcB/s640/Sept2016SDHWData.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<ol>
<li>The first bar on the left is the predicted hot water performance from the HOT2000 building energy model. The model suggested that water heating in September would take 487 kWh of which 34% would be supplied by the solar system. I don't know the details of what and how the model works, but I do know a few of the assumptions that help explain the difference. HOT2000 standard reference defaults to assuming there are 4 people in the house (2 adults and 2 children). It assumes they use 225 L of hot water a day at 55degrees C. In the actual home there are 2 to 3 adults, they only use 125 L/day and the tank temperature is maximum 45degrees C. So on water usage alone this house uses 44% less hot water than the model.</li>
<li>The middle bar is the actual total energy usage of the hot water system. In September a total of 277 kWh of energy was put into the hot water system, of which 41% was supplied by the solar system. Therefore we see 43% less total energy input, which matches well with the reduced hot water usage recorded (versus the model). But we did see in September 2016 that the solar contribution at 41% was substantively higher than that modelled. </li>
<li>The last bar (on the far right) is very interesting: this is the amount of energy that actually supplied hot water to the tap. The difference between this and the middle bar is energy lost as heat leaking off the storage tanks. What we see here is only 131 kWh was used (of which 47% was solar supplied) to make hot water. The remaining 146 kWh was presumably heat loss off the two big storage tanks. Normally this would be considered "bad", but in the case of this super-insulated home, this might not be so bad. This is because the house is electrically heated and with the high level of insulation, much of the "waste" heat off the tanks will be retained by the house. This then displaces electricity that would be used to heat the house. Of course, in the summer there really isn't any heating needed, plus the tanks are in the basement, a location that doesn't need to be as heated. But none the less, the heat loss off the storage tanks isn't a total loss. </li>
</ol>
<h3>
Preliminary Findings</h3>
<br />
After one month of monitoring, it appears that the savings from the solar domestic hot water system are substantively lower than predicted. This is not due to system performance, but due to low demand for hot water. <br />
<br />
Because this home is primarily in "first block" power (< 1,000 kWh/month), the electrical rates are quite low and therefore the savings (displaced electricity) are low. At this time, first block power is approximately<a href="http://www.housing.yk.ca/pdf/Electrical_Rates.pdf" target="_blank"> $0.109 / kWh</a>. At this rate, the solar system only saved about $12.49 in the month of September. If that is representative of "average" savings, the total annual savings from the system are only about $150/yr. That means it will be a very long pay-back for this system at these low electrical rates.<br />
<br />
What I conclude from this is the solar hot water system seems to work well with good performance, however its value in a small, high-efficiency home, is low. It is a technology that would be better suited to large homes with higher hot water demands or commercial/institutional buildings with large hot water demands. <br />
<br />
But, let's see how the rest of the year goes.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Forest Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16193171762364731123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2167385752198380950.post-62728054584861085172016-09-12T21:01:00.001-07:002016-09-12T21:05:22.161-07:00Solar Domestic Hot Water Monitoring Project<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kcv7Wgg-9LI/V9d0roF8C1I/AAAAAAAAD5g/LZIYiH-4AXokLIdPSzCI2mVITfLXQV41QCLcB/s1600/IMG_5DIIa_0038273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kcv7Wgg-9LI/V9d0roF8C1I/AAAAAAAAD5g/LZIYiH-4AXokLIdPSzCI2mVITfLXQV41QCLcB/s320/IMG_5DIIa_0038273.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Richard Legner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We included a domestic solar hot water (DSHW) system when we built our <a href="http://forestpearson.blogspot.ca/search/label/LEED" target="_blank">SuperGreen Laneway</a> house back in 2014. There is no known real-world performance data on these systems in the Yukon. In partnership with <a href="http://www.city.whitehorse.yk.ca/departments/environmental-sustainability" target="_blank">City of Whitehorse</a>, <a href="http://www.energy.gov.yk.ca/" target="_blank">Energy Solutions Centre</a> and <a href="http://www.housing.yk.ca/" target="_blank">Yukon Housing Corp</a> we have installed a monitoring project to establish actual energy savings of the system. The data is near real-time (updates ever two minutes - refresh your browser).<br />
<br />
The monitoring system was commissioned on September 1, 2016. You can view the data at:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.welserver.com/perl/view/5153" target="_blank">http://www.welserver.com/perl/view/5153</a> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.welserver.com/perl/view/5153" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P7iyHxxve3s/V9dzTKVSB3I/AAAAAAAAD5Y/v7rpmz7kvF0upW_Jbp2hUht3wFzXFxXegCLcB/s640/solar%2Bhot%2Bwater.png" width="640" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Good documentation of the various data fields is found at: <a href="https://www.halifax.ca/solarcity/Other/documents/WELServerPPTv30.pdf">https://www.halifax.ca/solarcity/Other/documents/WELServerPPTv30.pdf</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-CA</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="372">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Two summary monitoring reports will be prepared as part of this project: one in March 2017 and a second at the end of 2017. </div>
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Background & Project Objectives</h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Solar domestic hot-water (SDHW) heating is a building-scale
renewable energy opportunity that has had limited application in Yukon to
date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is an established and reliable
technology that has the potential to further reduce the environmental footprint
of Yukon buildings; in particular, residential buildings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, there is no known actual real-world
performance data for this technology in Yukon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This monitoring system is the first to systematically monitor the actual
performance of the existing new SDHW system at 704B Wood St. in downtown
Whitehorse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Photovoltaic (solar electric) technology has as relatively
good uptake in the marketplace and PV performance is relatively easy to
monitor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Conversely solar-thermal
technology has had much lower installation rates in spite of its relatively
higher efficiency of conversion of solar energy to heat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This lower rate of uptake is thought to be
due to four factors: </div>
<ol>
<li>lack of demonstrated performance of the systems in the Yukon
environment; </li>
<li>perception of higher capital costs relative to PV; </li>
<li>lack of
skilled trades and contractors supplying and installing the systems; and </li>
<li>limitations created by ability to utilize the energy based on building
hot-water demands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>
</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
The project
looks to address the first barrier to uptake:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>demonstration of performance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
It is believed that there is place for solar-thermal in the
increasing energy efficiency of Yukon homes and buildings because of the
technology’s relatively higher efficiency for generating thermal energy and the
5 kW installed capacity cap on PV created by the Yukon’s <a href="http://www.energy.gov.yk.ca/microgeneration.html" target="_blank">Micro-generation program</a> (solar thermal can be installed in addition to PV).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<h3>
Existing System</h3>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6lC0n_9Gs4/V9d3TWIjD5I/AAAAAAAAD5s/3zbq4QV9vDMSAVG4F7MiO2L2j-zt1sRBgCLcB/s1600/IMG_5DIIa_0038322_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6lC0n_9Gs4/V9d3TWIjD5I/AAAAAAAAD5s/3zbq4QV9vDMSAVG4F7MiO2L2j-zt1sRBgCLcB/s320/IMG_5DIIa_0038322_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Richard Legner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The SDHW system at 704B Wood St. is a single
flat-plate collector system installed in late 2013.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The system is a<a href="http://www.thermo-dynamics.com/solar_boiler.html" target="_blank"> Thermo Dynamics CSA-certified“Solar Boiler”</a> hot water heater installed on a two-bedroom single detached
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A unique feature of this home is the
basement is heated by an in-floor hydronic system supplied from the home’s hot
water system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The purpose of this
configuration is potentially increase the solar fraction provided by the SDHW
by using the basement concrete slab as thermal storage of solar-derived heat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<br />Forest Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16193171762364731123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2167385752198380950.post-19273754998964784722016-03-13T20:09:00.001-07:002016-03-13T20:45:44.140-07:00One year (almost) of energy use data from our new SuperGreen home Below is a chart summarizing actual month energy use data for the last year from our new SuperGreen Laneway Home in downtown Whitehorse. This home is rated as an EnerGuide for Homes rating of <b>89</b>--just about the highest so far for the Yukon.<br />
<br />
The graph shows in <span style="color: #0b5394;">blue</span> total actual energy use (electricity because the home is electrically heated too) and in <span style="color: #cc0000;">red </span>is the predicted energy use from the energy model created when the house was planned and built.<br />
<br />
Since winter 2015-16 has been unusually warm I've "normalized" the actual energy use data to average winter conditions. That way it takes out the effect of a warm winter.<br />
<br />
Also I've adjusted the modeled energy use data for one occupant. The "standard" conditions used in the EnerGuide rating assume a family of four. So, I took that out of the model to better compare apples-to-apples.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8X3UWlD92Y/VuYzzb1JOkI/AAAAAAAAD2s/Uy7IGBE0bAMu4eAQx2N0G8wA2dQllIdHw/s1600/704BWoodEnergyUSe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8X3UWlD92Y/VuYzzb1JOkI/AAAAAAAAD2s/Uy7IGBE0bAMu4eAQx2N0G8wA2dQllIdHw/s640/704BWoodEnergyUSe.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
What this shows is this house too is performing better than expected. Overall, it has used 19% less energy than the model predicted. This is a <a href="http://forestpearson.blogspot.ca/2012/04/one-year-in-supergreen-home.html" target="_blank">similar result to our SuperGreen duplex</a> built in 2011 that uses about 30% less than predicted.<br />
<br />
A few interesting things in the graph for 704B Wood St above. You can see energy use "spike" in November and February. In both of those months the garage was heated and "occupied". In November my friend used the garage for about two weeks as a framing shop; and then in February Georgi and her friends setup a pop-up craft shop for a week.<br />
<br />
I was worried this house was using more energy than predicted, but now that I see all the numbers in, I'm pretty happy with the results.Forest Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16193171762364731123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2167385752198380950.post-89210119160968442882015-10-09T23:39:00.000-07:002015-10-10T01:16:13.810-07:00Who I'm voting for in 2015 Municipal Election and WhyHistorically I always felt voting was a "private" matter. But this year, I've become more engaged in the Whitehorse municipal election, primary through the Whitehorse Urban Cycling Coalition (<a href="http://www.wucc.ca/">wucc.ca</a>). So I thought I'd share my thoughts on this election.<br />
<br />
What I'm looking for primary is candidates that will work towards a sustainable future for Whitehorse. Something we can afford and creates a high quality of life. What we do know is that the automobile is a killing us financially, socially and of course, environmentally. The car is a dead-end. Yes, I own and operate not just one, but several automobiles. And yes, we will never be "car-free." But what we need to do is work really hard to build a community where we can minimize the usage automobiles so we can afford the future we want.<br />
<br />
We see that when we have people-oriented development, it is a much lovely town, as opposed to car-centric development. I've traveled and explored communities that are moving away from the car, and they are so much richer places to be. Unfortunately, in Whitehorse we've inherited a town that has been built for the car. We need to deal with that sad reality.<br />
<br />
The WUCC put together eight questions for the candidates and to date we've gotten an amazing 15 complete written responses from the 25 mayor and councilor candidates running (you can see the <a href="http://wucc.ca/input/2015-municipal-elections/questions-2/" target="_blank">questions </a>and <a href="http://wucc.ca/input/2015-municipal-elections/answers/" target="_blank">answers </a>on the WUCC website). If you look at the question, there is a lot more going on there than just "give us more bike lanes". In fact, what I find is that the candidates responses are are pretty good proxy for how well they share my vision for a sustainable community.<br />
<br />
So, based on this, my councilor picks will be (as of today):<br />
<br />
<ol>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>Helen GEISLER - quite cycle supportive and what I thought were some smart measured answers to some questions.</li>
<li>Betty IRWIN - She did not benefit from participating in cycling as part of her generation,
but seems open minded and supportive of sustainable transportation and has practical experience with council. </li>
<li>Roslyn WOODCOCK - downtowner and totally supportive of sustainable transportation.</li>
<li>Jocelyn CURTEANU - good positive commitment to cycling, but probably needs more information about the importance of good, contiguous cycle infrastructure to open doors for more of the community. </li>
</ul>
<ol>
</ol>
Yes, just 4 I guess. The point was well made that you don't need to vote for all six positions. If you don't know them (or are only voting based on name recognition), then don't vote for them! Really, you are stealing votes from yourself for the candidates you DO want in.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Now, who NOT to vote for. Well, based on the WUCC feedback, there are a few candidates who, in my mind, are clearly "<i>yikes, not friends of bikes</i>:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>George ARCAND</li>
<li>Dan BOYD</li>
</ul>
And the zeros (candidates who did not respond to WUCC's queries in any form) are:<br />
<ul>
<li>Mike TRAVILL</li>
<li>Garth BROWN</li>
</ul>
Remember, voting is sexy!<br />
<style type="text/css"><!--<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":15.15" style="background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">td</span> {border: 1px solid #<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":15.16" style="background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">ccc</span>;}<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":15.17" style="background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">br</span> {<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":15.18" style="background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">mso</span>-data-placement:same-cell;}</style><br />
--><span data-sheets-userformat="[null,null,577,[null,0],null,null,null,null,null,0,null,null,0]" data-sheets-value="[null,2,"Mike TRAVILL"]" style="font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"> </span><br />
<style type="text/css"><!--<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":15.19" style="background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">td</span> {border: 1px solid #<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":15.20" style="background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">ccc</span>;}<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":15.21" style="background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">br</span> {<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":15.22" style="background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">mso</span>-data-placement:same-cell;}</style><br />
--> Forest Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16193171762364731123noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2167385752198380950.post-25396744033770334102015-04-11T07:56:00.001-07:002015-04-11T08:01:05.421-07:00Sustainable Design Elements Signs from Open House - 704B Wood Street <br />
<div class="post-body entry-content">
Thanks to everyone who came out to our open house at 704B Wood Street last week. And an even bigger thank you to the hard working team who made
it possible.<br />
<br />
A number of folks asked if they could have a copy of the sustainable
design information signs around the building, so here there are for your
perusal:</div>
<embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F118390929230925114723%2Falbumid%2F6136493312421869073%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" height="533" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="https://photos.gstatic.com/media/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="800"></embed>Forest Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16193171762364731123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2167385752198380950.post-4978063364675271192015-04-02T21:53:00.002-07:002015-04-02T21:53:23.067-07:00This heat pump Goes Up to ElevenEnergyGuide label on the mini-split heat pump installed to heat our new Super GreenHome. It<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOO5S4vxi0o" target="_blank"> goes up to eleven</a>! Note that the efficiency scale bar on the bottom of the tag only goes up to 10.2.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--SQ151OjDfw/VR4FhKMNYCI/AAAAAAAADqk/qbwFUIU7xj4/s1600/IMG_5685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--SQ151OjDfw/VR4FhKMNYCI/AAAAAAAADqk/qbwFUIU7xj4/s1600/IMG_5685.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
This is a <a href="http://www.fujitsugeneral.com/wallmountedRLS3H.htm" target="_blank">Fujitsu Extra Low-Temperature Heating</a> mini-split air-to-air heat pump. The manufacture claims it operates down to -26<sup>o</sup>C. We've had it installed for only a month now, but we did have a -25<sup>o</sup>C morning. I went out to check and it was purring away making heat.<br />
<br />
More pictures to come...Forest Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16193171762364731123noreply@blogger.com0