An Equity Analysis of Bicycle Infrastructure Around Light Rail Stations in Seattle, WA

Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2017-06This thesis explores whether there is any relationship between an area’s equity variables – the proportion of a Census Block Group population that is a racial minority, below the federal poverty line, under the age of 18, and 65 and older – and the density of bicycle infrastructure in these neighborhoods, especially in the areas surrounding light rail stations. The lack of bicycle facilities is often a barrier to someone to begin using a bicycle for transportation purposes. Riding a bicycle to access high capacity transit can reduce commute times, make a commute more enjoyable, and incorporate healthy activity into one’s every day routine. The 2-mile radius around light rail stations is considered the bikeshed, or the distance within which most people are able and willing to ride a bicycle. Two sets of analysis were conducted: the first using all bicycle facilities in Seattle and the second using only “low-stress” bicycle facilities, and comparing them with equity variables. Low-stress is defined as Class 1 (off street trails), Class 2 (protected bicycle lanes), and Class 4 facilities (low-speed, low-volume streets). Class 3 (shared lane bicycle facilities) make up about half of the city’s bicycle infrastructure, but are the least safe of the four types. The results of both sets of analysis show that there are many service gaps in Southeast Seattle’s Rainier Valley, where many diverse and historically disadvantaged people live, and where the Link light rail currently operates. There are also service gaps in more homogeneous areas. Statistically, bicycle infrastructure is allocated equally across the City of Seattle. In order to pursue a future of equity for all Seattleites, we must follow a Rawlsian approach to distributive justice and first improve the communities that need the most help. There are opportunities for bicycle infrastructure network improvements around light rail stations both in areas with high concentrations of historically marginalized populations as well as those without. Resources should be focused on the communities where historically marginalized populations live in order to improve equity outcomes in the City of Seattle and King County

Assessment of Coal Geology, Resources, and Reserve Base in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming and Montana

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated in-place resources of 1.07 trillion short tons of coal in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming and Montana. Of that total, with a maximum stripping ratio of 10:1, recoverable coal was 162 billion tons. The estimate of economically recoverable resources was 25 billion tons

Assessment of Coal Geology, Resources, and Reserves in the Montana Powder River Basin

The purpose of this report is to summarize geology, coal resources, and coal reserves in the Montana Powder River Basin (MTPRB) assessment area in southeastern Montana. This report represents the fourth assessment area within the Powder River Basin to be evaluated in the continuing U.S. Geological Survey regional coal assessment program. There are four active coal mines in the MTPRB assessment area: the Spring Creek and Decker Mines, both near Decker; the Rosebud Mine, near Colstrip; and the Absaloka Mine, west of Colstrip. During 2011, coal production from these four mines totaled approximately 36 million short tons (MST). A fifth mine, the Big Sky, had significant production from 1969–2003; however, it is no longer in production and has since been reclaimed. Total coal production from all five mines in the MTPRB assessment area from 1968 to 2011 was approximately 1.4 billion short tons (BST). The Rosebud/Knobloch coal bed near Colstrip and the Anderson, Dietz 2, and Dietz 3 coal beds near Decker contain the largest deposits of surface minable, low-sulfur, subbituminous coal currently being mined in the assessment area. A total of 26 coal beds were identified during this assessment, 18 of which were modeled and evaluated to determine in-place coal resources. The total original coal resource in the MTPRB assessment area for the 18 coal beds assessed was calculated to be 215 BST. Available coal resources, which are part of the original coal resource remaining after subtracting restrictions and areas of burned coal, are about 162 BST. Restrictions included railroads, Federal interstate highways, urban areas, alluvial valley floors, state parks, national forests, and mined-out areas. It was determined that 10 of the 18 coal beds had sufficient areal extent and thickness to be evaluated for recoverable surface resources ([Roland (Baker), Smith, Anderson, Dietz 2, Dietz 3, Canyon, Werner/Cook, Pawnee, Rosebud/Knobloch, and Flowers-Goodale]). These 10 coal beds total about 151 BST of the 162 BST of available resource; however, after applying a strip ratio of 10:1 or less, only 39 BST remains of the 151 BST. After mining and processing losses are subtracted from the 39 BST, 35 BST of coal were considered as a recoverable resource. Coal reserves (economically recoverable coal) are the portion of the recoverable coal resource that can be mined, processed, and marketed at a profit at the time of the economic evaluation. The surface coal reserve estimate for the 10 coal beds evaluated for the Montana Powder River assessment area is 13 BST. It was also determined that about 42 BST of underground coal resource exists in the MTPRB assessment area; about 34 BST (80 percent) are within 500–1,000 ft of the land surface and another 8 BST are 1,000–2,000 ft beneath the land surface