Georgetown Station is a Model for Low-Impact Mass Transit Outside Austin, Texas

The Georgetown Station project for the <a href="http://www.ridecarts.com/about/" target="_blank">Capital Area Rural Transportation System (CARTS)</a> is an innovative low-impact mass transit center that combines renewable energy, renewable resources and public transportation. Designed by <a href="http://www.jacksonmcelhaney.com/commercial/project/georgetown-station" target="_blank">Jackson McElhaney</a>, the Georgetown Station is one of 5 stations serving Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, and Lee counties, as well as rural areas of Hays, Travis, and Williamson. This station was completed in 2010 and makes use of a rooftop mounted photovoltaic system, a wind turbine, rainwater collection and 2 electric vehicle charging stations.

Georgetown Station by <a href="http://www.jacksonmcelhaney.com/" target="_blank">Jackson McElhaney</a> is one of 5 transit stations outside of Austin, Texas as part of CARTS.

his Rural Transit District was formed through an interlocal agreement by nine county governments in the seventy-five hundred square mile region surrounding the Texas capital city.

The public transportation system is specifically tailored to the 169 communities and helps bring commuters into Austin and rural residents in and around the communities.

Service varies from multiple times per day to once a month, depending on the community and its residents' needs.

<a href="http://www.ridecarts.com/" target="_blank">CARTS</a> has a commitment to environmental sustainability, and they demonstrate this through construction projects like Georgetown Station.

The center generates much of its own power through a 24.2 kW rooftop mounted photovoltaic system and a 2.4 kW Whisper wind turbine on top of a 60-foot-tall tower.

Rainwater is collected and stored in an 11,000 gallon cistern and used for landscape irrigation of native plants.

The park and ride station also include 2 electric vehicle recharging stations for use by its passengers.

The transit system certainly provides more sustainable transportation options for people living in the country.

Jackson McElhaney also recently completed Taylor's Station for CART.