Activists Fight Street Traffic, Film Exposes Traffic Trouble
Miranda Leitsinger Daily Californian
FEBRUARY 14, 1995

Saying they will expose the problems with local traffic and clean air programs, environmental activists plan to present a film to the Berkeley City Council tonight that attacks the negative impact of city vehicles on the town.

West Berkeley residents L A Wood and Carolyn Erbele produced the 12 minute video, entitled "Traffic in Transit," which is dedicated to the Berkeley Public Works Department.

In the video. Wood said the city "is known for many things" including auto congestion and a "lack of regional traffic planning." The film focuses on the city's corporation yard. a 4 9-acre lot that currently holds more than 200 city works vehicles.

"I want to remind people I'm talking about the corporate yard, the neighborhood corporate yard and the impact of traffic on the neighborhood." Wood said in an interview.

In the film. Wood captured footage of the 80-year-old yard replete with city vehicles, parking enforcement scooters and garbage trucks. Against a video montage, of the traffic-congested Interstate-80 and Telegraph Avenue, Wood discusses the damaging effects the yard has on surrounding neighborhoods in the short film.

"The city is one of the largest operators of automobiles. Every vehicle that is purchased impacts my neighborhood." Wood said. "Everyone will say it's bad, bad, bad. I say it's bad because the city is out of control with automobiles," he added.

Councilmember Dons Spring said Yesterday she agreed with several of Wood’s ideas in the video. "I thought it was very good." she said. "I think he has so many efficient and environmentally sound ideas."

The film also addresses the city's lack of fueling centers in Berkeley. With few sites available to refuel city vehicles, West Berkeley residents must deal with city automobiles. garbage and fire trucks that travel through the neighborhood every day, Wood said.

Wood said Berkeley's parking enforcement vehicles are an example of the city's need for additional fueling sites. More than 40 of the scooters travel from South to West Berkeley to refuel because there are no other fueling locations.

The city needs to "centralize the fuel to where they are operating." Wood added that in response to increased demands for fuel, the city is trying to develop alternate fuels.

Continuation of these problems, despite complaints from West Berkeley residents, compelled Wood and Erbele to write a traffic and transportation proposal for the corporate yard and to produce the video, Wood said.

Berkeley City Manager Weldon Rucker responded to Wood's proposal last week with a letter in which Rucker identified three areas of concern officials intend to investigate. Officials will consider traffic plans for non-emergencies, reductions in trips to the corporate yard and the development of alternative fueling sites.

In the video Wood read the promise the public works commissioner made to Berkeley residents in 1916. "We have made a beginning of  which to be proud, and which completed may wed serve as a model for other cities. Somewhere along the way, the city lost its vision of a model corporate yard." Wood said.