Commuter Connections FY 2006 Work Program

National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board May 18, 2005

History of Commuter Connections

   Began as Commuter Club in 1974, offering computerized carpool/vanpool matching.

By mid 1980’s local rideshare agencies joined the Commuter Club and changed its name to Ridefinders Network.

In mid 1990’s Ridefinders changed it’s name to Commuter Connections to incorporate TERMS adopted by TPB to meet regional air quality conformity.

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  

Benefits of Commuter Connections

Jurisdictions – Reduction in traffic congestion due to commuters, easing goods movement and tourist travel – Reduction in emissions – Support of local efforts to attract and retain employers Employers – Recruitment/Retention Workers – More commute options – Reduced stress/costs/time – Improved quality of life 3

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Benchmarking TDM -- Census Rankings for Carpools

LA/Long Beach Chicago

Washington Region

New York, NY Atlanta Houston Dallas Phoenix-Mesa Riverside-San Bern.

Orange County, CA Workers Carpooled 582,000 421,000

343,000

314,000 281,000 268,000 244,000 225,000 220,000 174,000 Total Workers 3,859,000 3,705,000

2,555,000

3,683,000 2,061,000 1,864,000 1,707,000 1,466,000 1,249,000 1,314,000 % Carpool 15.1% 11.4%

13.9%

8.5% 13.6% 14.4% 14.3% 15.3% 17.6% 13.3% 5

Total Daily Impacts of Commuter Connections Programs

Measure  Vehicle Trips  Vehicle Miles of Travel   Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Reductions 111,413 1,959,263 2.3 Tons 1.22 Tons 6

Cost Effectiveness of Commuter Connections

    Cost per Vehicle Trip Reduced Cost per Vehicle Mile of Travel Reduced Cost per ton of NOx Reduced Cost per ton of VOC Reduced $0.15

$0.01

$ 6,000 $12,000 7

Why Restructure?

   Funding shares need to be revisited States need flexibility in implementing certain program components based on policy COG/TPB staff needs to streamline administration of the program 8

Restructuring Proposal

     Work Program will be similar to UPWP – Regional/Jurisdictional (e.g. Kiosks can be implemented by one state and not the others) Program Areas redefined/streamlined State TDM Work Group Revised funding shares – Based on MSA population New Programs 9

Proposed FY 2006 CCWP Budget

Program Element Cost

Commuter Operations $371,526 GRH Mass Marketing Program Evaluation Employer Outreach Telework Kiosks

TOTAL

$509,308 $2,100,564 $407,468 $750,596 $162,126 $155,154

$4,456,742

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Original Program Element Descriptions & Use

 Employer Outreach – Provides assistance to employers of 100 or more employees to voluntarily implement work based TDM programs.

Participation Shares:

DC MD VA

10%

Total Employers:

3,698

69% 21% 11

Original Program Element Descriptions & Use (con’t)

 Guaranteed Ride Home Program – Provides alternative mode users with a free ride home in an unexpected emergency.

Participation Shares: DC MD VA OTH*

GRH Registrants by Home Jurisdiction

3% 32%

GRH Registrants by Work Jurisdiction

61% 10%

Total GRH Registrants: 31,773

* Other column includes DE,PA, and WV

63% 29% 2% 0% 12



Original Program Element Descriptions & Use (con’t)

Commuter Operations Center – Provides information (carpool/vanpool matching, transit, bicycle, park & ride and HOV lane information)

Participation Shares: DC MD VA OTH*

Program Registrants by Home Jurisdiction Program Registrants by Work Jurisdiction

3% 37% 48% 36% 48% 27% 1% 0%

Total Program Registrants : 24,992

* Other column includes DE,PA, and WV

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Original Program Element Descriptions & Use (con’t)



Employer Outreach for Bicycling

Day.

–

Provides assistance to employers to either start or expand a work based bicycling program and supports special events such as Bike To Work

Participation Shares:

Percentage of Cyclists Participating in 2004 Bike to Work Day (BTWD) by Home Jurisdiction

DC

20%

MD

26%

VA

53%

OTH*

<1%

Total 2004 BTWD Participants: 4,466

* Other column includes DE,PA, and WV

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Proposed Redefinition/Streamlining of Original Program Areas

 Marketing components from the Commuter Operations Center, GRH, Telework Resource Center and Bike to Work Day consolidated under Mass Marketing.  Funding shown accounts for 75% of proposed budget. Remaining 25% is still under review.

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Proposed Redefinition/Streamlining of Original Program Areas (con’t)

 Employer Outreach for Bicycling incorporated into Employer Outreach program.

 Software Upgrades from Integrated Ridesharing incorporated into Commuter Operations Center.

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Proposed Redefinition/Streamlining of Original Program Areas (con’t)

 Evaluation components from the Commuter Operations Center, GRH, Employer Outreach, Telework Resource Center, and Mass Marketing consolidated under Program Monitoring and Evaluation.

 Kiosks redefined as a stand-alone program.

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

Proposed Restructuring of Commuter Connections

Regional Program Areas

– Commuter Operations Center – Guaranteed Ride Home – Mass Marketing – Program Monitoring and Evaluation 

Regional and Jurisdictional Program Areas

– Employer Outreach 

Jurisdictional Program Areas

– Telework – Regional InfoExpress Kiosks 18

Conclusions and Next Steps



Commuter Connections Subcommittee reviewed draft Work Program at its May 17 th meeting.



Tech Committee will receive draft Work Program for approval at its June 3 rd meeting.



TPB will receive the final draft for approval at its June 15 th meeting.



Restructured program begins July 1.

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