Commuter Connections FY 2006 Work Program National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board May 18, 2005

2 History of Commuter Connections Began as Commuter Club in 1974, offering computerized carpool/vanpool matching. 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. 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. In mid 1990’s Ridefinders changed it’s name to Commuter Connections to incorporate TERMS adopted by TPB to meet regional air quality conformity.

3 Benefits of Commuter Connections Jurisdictions 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 Employers –Recruitment/Retention Workers Workers –More commute options –Reduced stress/costs/time –Improved quality of life

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5 Benchmarking TDM -- Census Rankings for Carpools Workers Carpooled Total Workers % Carpool LA/Long Beach 582,0003,859, % Chicago421,0003,705, % Washington Region 343,0002,555, % New York, NY 314,0003,683,0008.5% Atlanta281,0002,061, % Houston268,0001,864, % Dallas244,0001,707, % Phoenix-Mesa225,0001,466, % Riverside-San Bern. 220,0001,249, % Orange County, CA 174,0001,314, %

6 Total Daily Impacts of Commuter Connections Programs Measure Reductions Vehicle Trips 111,413 Vehicle Trips 111,413 Vehicle Miles of Travel1,959,263 Vehicle Miles of Travel1,959,263 Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) 2.3 Tons Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) 2.3 Tons Volatile Organic1.22 Tons Volatile Organic1.22 Tons Compounds (VOC)

7 Cost Effectiveness of Commuter Connections Cost per Vehicle Trip$0.15 Cost per Vehicle Trip$0.15Reduced Cost per Vehicle Mile of$0.01 Cost per Vehicle Mile of$0.01 Travel Reduced Cost per ton of NOx$ 6,000 Cost per ton of NOx$ 6,000Reduced Cost per ton of VOC$12,000 Cost per ton of VOC$12,000Reduced

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

9 Restructuring Proposal Work Program will be similar to UPWP 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 Program Areas redefined/streamlined State TDM Work Group State TDM Work Group Revised funding shares – Based on MSA population Revised funding shares – Based on MSA population New Programs New Programs

10 Proposed FY 2006 CCWP Budget Program Element Cost Commuter Operations $371,526 GRH$509,308 Mass Marketing $2,100,564 Program Evaluation $407,468 Employer Outreach $750,596 Telework$162,126 Kiosks$155,154 TOTAL$4,456,742

11 Original Program Element Descriptions & Use Employer Outreach – Provides assistance to employers of 100 or more employees to voluntarily implement work based TDM programs. Employer Outreach – Provides assistance to employers of 100 or more employees to voluntarily implement work based TDM programs. Participation Shares: DCMDVA 10%69%21% Total Employers: 3,698

12 Original Program Element Descriptions & Use (con’t) Guaranteed Ride Home Program – Provides alternative mode users with a free ride home in an unexpected emergency. Guaranteed Ride Home Program – Provides alternative mode users with a free ride home in an unexpected emergency. Participation Shares: DCMDVAOTH* GRH Registrants by 3%32%63%2% Home Jurisdiction GRH Registrants by 61%10%29%0% Work Jurisdiction Total GRH Registrants: 31,773 * Other column includes DE,PA, and WV

13 Original Program Element Descriptions & Use (con’t) Commuter Operations Center – Provides information (carpool/vanpool matching, transit, bicycle, park & ride and HOV lane information) Commuter Operations Center – Provides information (carpool/vanpool matching, transit, bicycle, park & ride and HOV lane information) Participation Shares: DCMDVAOTH* Program Registrants by Home Jurisdiction3%48%48%1% Program Registrants by Work Jurisdiction37%36%27%0% Total Program Registrants : 24,992 * Other column includes DE,PA, and WV

14 Original Program Element Descriptions & Use (con’t) Employer Outreach for Bicycling – Provides assistance to employers to either start or expand a work based bicycling program and supports special events such as Bike To Work Day. Employer Outreach for Bicycling – Provides assistance to employers to either start or expand a work based bicycling program and supports special events such as Bike To Work Day. DCMDVAOTH* Participation Shares:DCMDVAOTH* Percentage of Cyclists 20%26%53%<1% Participating in 2004 Bike to Work Day (BTWD) by Home Jurisdiction Total 2004 BTWD Participants: 4,466 * Other column includes DE,PA, and WV

15 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. 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. Funding shown accounts for 75% of proposed budget. Remaining 25% is still under review.

16 Proposed Redefinition/Streamlining of Original Program Areas (con’t) Employer Outreach for Bicycling incorporated into Employer Outreach program. Employer Outreach for Bicycling incorporated into Employer Outreach program. Software Upgrades from Integrated Ridesharing incorporated into Commuter Operations Center. Software Upgrades from Integrated Ridesharing incorporated into Commuter Operations Center.

17 Evaluation components from the Commuter Operations Center, GRH, Employer Outreach, Telework Resource Center, and Mass Marketing consolidated under Program Monitoring and Evaluation. 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. Kiosks redefined as a stand-alone program. Proposed Redefinition/Streamlining of Original Program Areas (con’t)

18 Proposed Restructuring of Commuter Connections Regional Program Areas Regional Program Areas –Commuter Operations Center –Guaranteed Ride Home –Mass Marketing –Program Monitoring and Evaluation Regional and Jurisdictional Program Areas Regional and Jurisdictional Program Areas –Employer Outreach Jurisdictional Program Areas Jurisdictional Program Areas –Telework –Regional InfoExpress Kiosks

19 Conclusions and Next Steps Commuter Connections Subcommittee reviewed draft Work Program at its May 17 th meeting. 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. 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. TPB will receive the final draft for approval at its June 15 th meeting. Restructured program begins July 1. Restructured program begins July 1.