Transportation planning is a topic of popular interest to us all because it is so fundamental to social well- being. Because of this high level of interest, the negative aspects of congestion and pollution are also receiving increasing attention, not expected to decrease in the near future. The very nature of environmental impacts / concerns associated with transportation begs the question whether sustainability and improvements to environmental quality are even achievable in the context of current / future technological innovations and transportation demand. Many proposed improvements that have the expectation of reducing emissions, can actually lead to increased emissions – either due to more vehicles on the road or longer commuting distances and more suburban development. Because sustainable transportation strategies and any potential benefits they may have on long-range land use planning will have also have long lasting impacts, to be successful, they can only be achieved in cooperation with the users of the transportation system and society in general. These challenges and others have contributed to sustainable transportation policies and practices typically remaining at the ‘proclamation’ or ‘motherhood’ stage.

2008 Highlights:

• Workshops, Exhibits and Special Speakers on the theme of sustainable transportation planning
• Dinner at Fort George followed by a Ghost tour
• Winery tour to Peller Estates including a Wine and Cheese Pairing
• Niagara Region Wine Route: many interesting wineries to visit and taste test
• Niagara-on-the-Lake walk-about; Historical walk; Angel Inn Pub
• Family/Guest activity guide – Maid of the Mist; Whirlpool Jet Boat ride; Clifton Hill, the Butterfly Sanctuary, and much more
• Morning walk through the beautiful Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake