What Would Convince You to Drive Less?

We've recently completed an update to the Regional Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) Plan and are looking for input on it. The CTR Plan consists of goals and policies, facility and service improvements, and marketing strategies aimed at reducing vehicle miles traveled (VMT) over the next four years through Travel Demand Management (TDM) strategies. 

TDM are strategies and policies to reduce motor vehicle travel demand (specifically for drive-alone trips). Managing demand is a cost-effective alternative to building new roads or adding lanes to existing roadways. It also cuts down on wear and tear on local streets by reducing the number of vehicles using them, reduces environmental issues caused by pollution created by automobiles, and can have positive health impacts for those who choose to walk or bicycle instead of drive.

Examples of TDM strategies include telecommuting, car and vanpooling, providing bicycle and pedestrian facilities and supplying transit subsidies such as bus passes. Some sample strategies included in the CTR Plan to reduce VMT include:

• Implementation of Spokane Transit Authority’s (STA’s) Smart Bus program that will provide real-time location and travel information for buses throughout the STA network. 
• Adding vehicles to STA’s vanpool fleet to accommodate new and additional vanpool riders.
• Implementation of the Spokane Regional Health District’s marketing initiative WALK.BIKE.BUS, intended to get people to use sustainable travel alternatives for non-work trips.
• Creation and implementation of policy, planning, and zoning changes by all regional jurisdictions participating in the CTR Program in support of transit, walking, and bicycling.

You can check out the CTR Plan (don't be scared- the update is only a handful of pages) on the SRTC website at www.srtc.org. A public comment period for the plan starts Thursday, March 5, 2015. All comments must be received by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2015. Comments can be submitted by emailing contact.srtc@srtc.org, or by mail to SRTC at 221 W. 1st Ave., Suite 310, Spokane, WA, or by calling (509) 343-6370.

Big Drop In Commuters Who Drive Alone In Seattle

New numbers out of Seattle show that the share of downtown workers who commute alone by car has dropped significantly in the last 15 years.

The rate of solo car commuting to downtown Seattle was 50 percent in 2000. It was measured again in 2012. Streetsblog tells us what the percentage is today.

American Commutes May Not Be So Bad After All

You know how everyone complains about L.A. commutes being horrendous and being stuck in traffic for hours in California? Turns out their not actually so bad, for the average person. This graphic of commutes from around the world shows that a lot of places have it much worse than us car-loving Americans. Even New York isn't as bad as expected, with an average commute time of 34.6 minutes.

The takeaway from this? Jarrett Walker of the
Human Transit blog has some insights.

Woman Sues Employer Over Commute Anxiety

A woman who says busy roads cause her anxiety is suing a former employer who refused to change her
schedule to avoid rush-hour traffic.

The woman's lawsuit against Fulton Financial Corp.
says she "began to feel great anxiety and depression, which was especially aggravated by crowded roadways experienced during the heavy traffic of rush hour." Although her suit says this was considered a medical condition that qualified her as being disabled, Fulton denied her a work shift that would allow her to come in after the morning rush hour and prior to the evening rush.

Northwest Cable News has the rest of the story.

For Once I Was Chosen As Something Other Than Class Clown

Ever have your face on a poster? I do and frankly it's kind of disturbing. Although my mom will like it. I was chosen as the "2nd Quarter 2014 All Star Coach" by Spokane County's Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) program for "demonstrating commitment, advocacy and creativity in promoting and using commute alternatives at SRTC and when talking to the general public."

Frankly, I don't feel like I did anything special because I'm just telling people about something I believe in; the CTR program and finding alternative ways to get where you're going other than driving alone. Plus, it makes it really easy to be successful in promoting CTR when you have a small staff like at SRTC. Of 11 employees, 9 participate in CTR, getting to work by bus, walking, carpool or other means.  The other two we just shame.

The cool thing about CTR is that there are incentives to finding alternative transportation. There are lots of prizes and ways they encourage you. If you're not already using the CTR program, check out their website and see if it's something that might work for you. 

10 Crazy Commutes From Around The World

I've got a friend who regularly tells me about his adventures riding Spokane Transit's east Sprague bus route. Normally it's things like colorful characters on the bus or people/things he encounters on his way to the bus stop. His commute is tame though compared to these pictures from The Guardian of the 10 weirdest forms of urban transportation. I wish I could ride a toboggan to work!

It's Rideshare Month and Week!

Hey did you know it's not only National Rideshare Month, but October 7-11 is Rideshare Week? So you know what to do- share a ride. By doing so, you can win some nice prizes through Spokane County's Commute Trip Reduction program. Here's the link to their website so you can find out more about the program. And it doesn't have to be just car or vanpooling. Your efforts to reduce driving alone, such as riding the bus, telecommuting, walking or riding your bike also make you eligible for prizes!

 

SRTC Gets CTR Champion Award

Congratulations to the folks at SRTC who find another way to get to work other than driving alone. We were nominated recently for a Governor's Commute Smart Award. And while we didn't win, we did get this great "CTR Champion" trophy.

The Commute Smart Awards recognize innovation and dedication by communities, businesses, agencies and workplace transportation coordinators as they promote ridesharing and other alternatives to driving alone. SRTC was nominated for our work with the Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) program to promote their efforts countywide, and our trip reduction efforts within our own office. We may have a small staff, but 9 of our 11 staff members participate in CTR.
CTR is open to anyone and you can win some pretty cool prizes just for finding other ways to get to school or work than driving alone. You can check it out at www.mycommute.org.

I Finally Have Something To Put On The Wall Of My Office!

Good job to SRTC employees. We received this award at the Commute Trip Reduction annual Way To Go Awards luncheon today for achieving a 28.9% reduction in vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in our daily commutes.

Also, congratulations to the Spokane County Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) office. They received the first 'Clean Air Champion' award from the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency for outstanding contributions resulting in the implementation of a clean air program, increased public understanding and/or support for clean air, or new policies to improve air quality.

The CTR office is recognized state-wide for its highly successful CTR Program which eliminates nearly 6,400 vehicle trips each day in Spokane County. In addition to conserving energy, this represents a significant air quality benefit as well as saving Spokane-area commuters millions of dollars a year in fuel costs.