Fast forward
Orlando may see driverless buses, car sharing, food gardens
to the future. You might see self-driving electric buses, expanded urban gardens and low-cost car-sharing programs in low-income neighborhoods. All are part of Orlando’s “action plan” being worked on now.
Self-driving electric buses, expanded urban gardens and low-cost car-sharing programs could all be on the horizon in Orlando.
These are just several of dozens of green-focused ideas city officials are seeking feedback on in a survey sent out last week.
Orlando is updating its Community Action Plan, which acts as a road map in outlining its strategies for “sustainability,” defined as ways to carry out environmentally friendly policies and programs.
“Some are practical … some are rather visionary,” said task force co-chair Linda Ferrone, a vice president at the Orlando Utilities Commission. “We want to get an idea of how visionary the citizens of Orlando want us to be.”
The survey can be taken at surveymonkey.com/r/Green WorksOrlandoCAP.
The first plan was approved in 2013 and helped lead to Orlando transitioning its garbage trucks to natural gas, enacting ordinances allowing front-yard gardening and urban chickens, as well as distributing free composting units.
After checking off ideas from that plan, officials began work last summer on a fiveyear update and began new seeking ideas.
The survey outlines the top seven ideas for transportation, green buildings, food supply, housing, solid waste and water.
Ideas were gathered via public forums and the appointed task force, then officials narrowed the list to the most viable ideas.
“Out of the 150 or so [proposed ideas], there were some wild and crazy ones that weren’t so realistic,” Director of Sustainability Chris Castro said. “The public survey is the top ideas and strategies that we’re pretty confident will make it into the plan.”
After the survey closes March 18, the task force will review the answers and whittle down the list of proposals it will include.
One such idea would be converting the city’s LYMMO buses — which provide free, direct routes downtown — to electric-powered and driver-
less.
Mayor Buddy Dyer said Orlando is one of 10 communities designated as an “autonomous vehicle proving ground” by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The program encourages local governments to share information as the department hopes to expand its self-driving technology.
“Furthering the electric vehicle and autonomous vehicles is an area I think we can establish some leadership in,” Dyer said.
But Castro said the task force also is pursuing goals that can make such changes available to all neighborhoods and income levels in the city.
Things like an inexpensive car-sharing service in low-income neighborhoods may allow people to get to work cheaply; expanding urban gardens to city-owned property is also on the radar.
“The overall mandate is to make Orlando the most sustainable city in the country. I know it’s bold and grandiose, but it’s definitely doable.” Ken Laroe, co-chair, Community Action Plan task force
In Parramore, where a 2001 study by the University of Central Florida and Hebni Nutrition Consultants Inc. concluded a lack of fresh produce, urban garden expansion is a possibility. Already, Growing Orlando has a quarter-acre garden on South Street between Parramore Avenue and the Amway Center.
The survey suggests access to locally grown produce could be available to residents by socalled “green carts,” which would sell it at area bus stops and stations.
“Anything that we do at the city, we think should be available to all of our residents and lift up everybody,” Dyer said.
Other ideas include additional bike paths to connect neighborhoods, training for “green jobs” and increased reliance on solar energy.
“The overall mandate is to make Orlando the most sustainable city in the country,” said Ken Laroe, co-chair of the effort. “I know it’s bold and grandiose, but it’s definitely doable.”