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Consulting – Transportation Planning
Sustainable Transportation Planning With Low Speed Vehicles
What Is a Solar Micro Transit Vehicle (Solar MTV) ?
For communities, the establishment of a Solar Electric Transportation Zone may the best first step to stimulate Micro Transit Vehicle (MTV) systems. Within specific geographic SET Zones, solar MTVs, transporting 8 to 24 people, would be designated as street legal vehicles. SET Zones would allow MTVs to deliver mobility in downtown and suburban areas that has been tried and tested in resort communities. SET Zones provide a lower cost, flexible option for growing the transit system. Another exciting role for MTVs is the ability to customize vehicles, rather than plan around the handful of existing transit types (e.g., buses, light rail). MTVs with special features might transport sports spectators from remote parking areas, elderly after evening cultural events, and handicapped persons to and through recreational areas.
What Is a Low Speed Vehicle (LSV) or Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV)?
A low speed vehicle is any four-wheeled electric vehicle capable of achieving a top speed between 20 and 25 mph. Low- speed Vehicles (LSV), also known as Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEV) must comply with the safety standards (such as seat belts, turning signals, mirrors, licensed drivers, etc) in Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, sections 571.500 and Florida Statutes 320.01 and 316.2122 and be licensed as required under state guidelines. There is a significant difference between a traditional golf cart and a low speed vehicle, even through low peed vehicles may often look like golf carts. Additionally, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration limits LSV to those vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 3000 pounds. Some states, like Nevada, restrict the vehicle weight to fewer pounds. Education and political awareness will lead to acceptance of low speed vehicles for our communities.
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Eco Trans Alliance is helping organizations and federal, state and local governments plan their infrastructure for low speed vehicles (LSVs) and micro transit vehicles (MTVs).
Part of our efforts include speaking at public forums, testifying at regulatory hearings and advising Department of Defense facilities on the importance of this new mode of transportation. Click here to learn more about New College reducing its carbon footprint with Solar MTVs. |
 Add Low Speed Vehicles to Your Streets
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.jpg) Communities Plan for Electric Vehicles .jpg) Really Saving Requires Planning
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Sustainable Transportation Policies
- Consider Low Speed Vehicles (LSV) or Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEV) as the new mode in multi-modal transportation. Include LSV in complete street design.
- Establish and encourage Solar Electric Trolley (SET) Zones, where solar electric transporters, known as Micro Transit Vehicles (MTV) weighing more than 3000 pounds would legally provide Micro Transit in certain zones, such as Downtown Development areas, beach shuttle areas, etc.
- Establish preferred routes for LSV/NEV and MTV. Mark certain roads as LSV-friendly. Establish mapped routes in communities similar to bicycle routes. Begin with streets that have traffic calming already; the key is to provide continuous routes that are 35 mph or less for street legal vehicles.
- Recommend that new and existing parking lot design provide LSV size spaces and electric plug-in capabilities.
- Require or encourage at least one fast charger in parking lots of new developments.
What Is a Solar Micro Transit Vehicle (Solar MTV) ?
A Micro Transit Vehicle (MTV) is an electric vehicle that carries more passengers and weighs more than those vehicles permitted as a Low Speed Vehicle (LSV). MTVs are available in the market place and serve as transporters for 8 to 21 persons and may be solar-electric or electric powered. College campuses, military bases, parks, resorts and other communities with privately owned streets are a perfect location to create MTV opportunities now. On private roads, Micro Transit Vehicles are legal now; on public roads, Micro Transit needs local or state legislation to make it legal.
For communities, the establishment of a Solar Electric Transportation Zone may the best first step to stimulate Micro Transit Vehicle (MTV) systems. Within specific geographic SET Zones, solar MTVs, transporting 8 to 24 people, would be designated as street legal vehicles. SET Zones would allow MTVs to deliver mobility in downtown and suburban areas that has been tried and tested in resort communities. SET Zones provide a lower cost, flexible option for growing the transit system. Another exciting role for MTVs is the ability to customize vehicles, rather than plan around the handful of existing transit types (e.g., buses, light rail). MTVs with special features might transport sports spectators from remote parking areas, elderly after evening cultural events, and handicapped persons to and through recreational areas.
What Is a Low Speed Vehicle (LSV) or Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV)?
A low speed vehicle is any four-wheeled electric vehicle capable of achieving a top speed between 20 and 25 mph. Low- speed Vehicles (LSV), also known as Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEV) must comply with the safety standards (such as seat belts, turning signals, mirrors, licensed drivers, etc) in Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, sections 571.500 and Florida Statutes 320.01 and 316.2122 and be licensed as required under state guidelines. There is a significant difference between a traditional golf cart and a low speed vehicle, even through low peed vehicles may often look like golf carts. Additionally, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration limits LSV to those vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 3000 pounds. Some states, like Nevada, restrict the vehicle weight to fewer pounds. Education and political awareness will lead to acceptance of low speed vehicles for our communities.
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