June 6, 2012
1:30 – 3:30 pm
BD Biosciences
2222 Qume Drive
San Jose
Minutes
Transportation Policy Committee Meeting
Click for original background Agenda & Materials at http://svlg.org/wpcontent/uploads/2011/10/6_6_TPC-Packet_Revised.pdf
1. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
The Transportation Policy Committee meeting was called to order at 1:30 p.m.
Transportation Committee Members:
Kerry Haywood, representing NetApp
Betty Garza, NXP Semiconductors
Robin Suzuki, Casto Travel
Denny Yau, San Jose State University
Otto Melara, San Jose State University
Angus Davol, Stanford University
Ron Gonzales, Presencia LLC
Diandra Weldon, Solar Junction
Justin Bean, Streetline (by phone)
Staff:
Jessica Zenk, Senior Director of Transportation
Bena Chang, Senior Associate of Transportation and Housing
Nirit Revzin, Transportation Policy Coordinator
2. May 2012 TPC Minutes Approval
Motion—M/S Angus Davol / Kerry Haywood—Carried unanimously
Approve the minutes of the May 2012 TPC meeting.
3. Fuel Cell Vehicles and Stations
Steve Eckhardt from Linde, Alex Keros from GM, Matt McClory from Toyota, Owen Thunes from
Nissan, Raymond Lee from Mercedes Benz, Nico Bouwkamp from the California Fuel Cell
Partnership, Juanita Martinez from Smith, Watts and Martinez, and D.J. Smith from Smith, Watts
and Martinez were present to talk about hydrogen fuel cell technology and ways the Leadership
Group could move this technology forward.
Toyota and GM expect to go to market in 2015 with fuel cell vehicles and all major car
manufacturers are working on this technology. For many car manufacturers, fuel cell vehicles
are seen as complimentary to battery electric vehicles. Fuel cell vehicles may be appropriate for
heavier-duty vehicle market or for customers that need a long range. Depending on how the
hydrogen is produced, fuel cell vehicles can achieve 40 – 100% carbon reductions compared to
conventional gasoline vehicles.
Currently, in California there are 6 public hydrogen stations available with 2 more to open soon.
By the end of 2013, the California Fuel Cell Partnership expects to have 20 public stations in
California. The roadmap for future development is to have 46 stations in five urban clusters in
California. 22 additional stations will be deployed to connect clusters to each other.
Questions:
Are you looking to put hydrogen fueling stations where current gas stations are?
SE: Yes.
Are there safety concerns for neighborhoods around fueling stations?
SE: Yes, just like there are for any other fuels. In case of an accident, hydrogen “spills” go up into
the air, unlike gasoline. There are detailed codes for hydrogen use.
Is there safety testing for the vehicles? What is the website that promotes fuel cells? cafcp.org
AK: GM has performed extensive safety testing on the cars and wouldn’t put something on the
road that it thought was unsafe.
What is the cost of the vehicle?
SE: It’s going to be expensive because it is a new technology. The cost might be around $75,000.
Have you thought about holding a competition for cities interested in having a station?
No, currently the focus has been on educating cities. Some jurisdictions have indicated interest
in supporting the technology.
Discussion: Silicon Valley should be the center of fuel cell vehicle and infrastructure deployment.
The Leadership Group should play a role as a neutral entity that serves as a “buffer” between
the industry and stakeholders. Infrastructure deployment for hydrogen is going to face
neighborhood opposition and a “trust me” answer won’t go far. We need to have a fact-based
position that acknowledges concerns. There was a desire for more information on the
technology and how current stations are doing.
4. Partners for Advanced Transportation Technologies (PATH)/ITS Projects
Presentation at: http://svlg.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/BerkeleyITSPresentation.pdf
Lisa Hammon and Leah Anderson from UC Berkeley’s PATH program gave an overview of their
ITS research project. UC Berkeley is working on connected corridor technologies with a focus on
the 101-280-El Camino Real corridor. Berkeley is looking for subjects for a survey on the kinds of
incentives that would motivate commuters to switch route, commute method, and/or time of
day for their travel. Information on origin/destinations from employers would be very useful.
Questions:
What does success look like for this project?
LH: Ideally, we would like to optimize the network flow by route and see shifts in traffic from
101 to 280 or El Camino.
Are you working with companies like Waze? How is your program different from what Waze
provides?
LH: Yes, we are working with Waze.
LA: The primary difference in the programs is that the PATH program will include aspects of
gaming and competition. The goal is to make this fun and interactive.
Will this program compare travel times by car versus transit?
LH: Yes. PATH already has a program like this.
Decision:
None. Information item.
5. Transportation Work Plan
Due to lack of time, this item was postponed to a future meeting.
6. Announcements
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Bike to Work Month and Day – early results indicate that Bike to Work Day participation was
up 26% in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties in 2012 as compared to 2011
SPUR SJ upcoming events (http://www.spur.org/sanjose):
o Wednesday, 6/27, 6:30pm: A Conversation with The New Yorker’s David Owen
o Thursday, 6/28, 6:00pm: Designing Silicon Valley
Next Meeting: 7/11, 1:30-3:30 @ BD Biosciences
CalStart Workplace Charging Event @ Google, 7/31, 8:30-5: present on leased space?
http://calstart.org/events/CALSTART-Events.aspx
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Save the Date: Charged 2012 @ SAP, August 23-24, 2012
7. Meeting adjourned at 3:35pm.