TRPP

Round II

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has selected 14 projects that will improve the efficiency of state’s highway system.

• Summary Table of Selected Projects
• Round II Project Descriptions

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has selected 14 projects for the second round of the 2007-2009 Trip Reduction Performance Program made possible by additional funding by the Washington State Legislature in 2007. WSDOT will pay these contractors for their success in improving the transportation system by helping employees get to work while using fewer vehicles. Based on their performance the contractors will receive up to a total of $1 million from WSDOT as a part of the TRPP Round II.

Together, these projects propose to remove 2,668 daily commute vehicle trips from our state highway system. Contractors will provide services and incentives that get people out of their cars and onto buses, trains, vanpools, and other commute alternatives.

An 11-member committee reviewed 24 proposals and recommended to WSDOT 14 of those projects. The committee was comprised of individuals representing transit agencies, regional transportation planning councils, cities and counties, employers, citizens, Commute Trip Reduction Board members, and WSDOT staff. The committee reviewed and ranked projects based on the established TRPP criteria.

Summary Table of Selected Projects
 

2007-2009 TRPP – Round II Project Descriptions 

City of Seattle – Commuter Cash $57,380

The city of Seattle will target businesses in the area impacted by major construction projects. The “Commuter Cash” provides incentives to commuters and those who encourage others to participate in the project. The Project will target businesses in areas impacted by major construction projects, cooperating with partners with similar goals and giving incentives to third parties to refer others to participate in the project. The project proposes to reduce 190 vehicle commute trips.

HollisterStier Laboratories – CTR Makes Cents $9,982

The “CTR Makes Cents” project leverages employee contributions to create larger financial incentives for employees that use commute alternatives. HollisterStier employees commit to participate in CTR Makes Cents by agreeing to contribute $10 per month to the program via a payroll deduction. Combined with support from the state and the company, this will create a “pool” of money to draw from that triples the amount the employees contributed. At the end of each month, the total number of days of participation by all enrolled employees is divided into the total dollars in the program pool. The more times an employee uses a commute alternative during the month, the more money they get back as reward for not driving alone to work. This project proposes to reduce 23 vehicle commute trips.

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Intercity Transit – Drive Less. Live More $95,000

The “Drive Less. Live More” project proposes to reduce vehicle commute trips by promoting transit, carpooling and vanpooling to drivers who commute to the city of Olympia’s downtown and Capital Campus. This project will provide education and attractive incentives to commuters as a complement to the Growth and Transportation Efficiency Center program proposed for downtown and the Capitol Campus. This project proposes to reduce 225 vehicle commute trips.

Intrago Corp. – Stranded by a Lack of Alt? Get LoCal Mobility! $200,000

The University of Washington, Intrago Corporation and Scootabella Incorporated are joining together to create a fully automated, shared network of small personal electric vehicles at the University of Washington’s Seattle campus. Similar to the successful shared-bike rental system launched in Paris last July, this project enables a “drive-it-yourself ‘taxi’ system” that provides commuters the comfort and convenience of having a local vehicle available to use when they need it. This project is the first of its kind in the United States. The project proposes to reduce 534 vehicle commute trips.

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Kent Firefighters Local 1747 – Kent Firefighters Commute Halved $19,500

The “Commute Halved” project offers a new work schedule to firefighters that will reduce drive-alone commute trips to the worksite by up to 50 percent. Shifting from a 24-hour schedule to a 48-hour schedule will cut the number of commute trips per shift. This strategy will reduce traffic congestion, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and lower commuting costs for individual firefighters. This project proposes to reduce 60 vehicle commute trips.

KPS Health Plans – Reduce the Stress by Driving Less to KPS $7,400

The “Reduce the Stress” project is an enhancement to an ongoing Commute Trip Reduction effort at KPS Health Plans. This project will provide additional incentives for commuters that switch to carpools, transit, and other alternate commute modes. In addition, the project will integrate CTR with the company’s “Good for You!” health and wellness campaign by promoting the health benefits gained when walking and bicycling to work. This project proposes to reduce 20 vehicle commute trips.

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King County Metro – Employee Transportation Program Climate Action Support Project $40,500

King County Metro provides information to employees at six downtown Seattle buildings on how to find alternatives to drive-alone commuting. Employees will receive one-on-one assistance from “Plan Your Commute” experts to plan their commute trip into downtown Seattle worksites. Staff will schedule multiple visits at each office building to make it easy for employees to stop by and receive commute assistance. Employees who switch from driving alone to an alternative will be eligible to receive incentives. This project proposes to reduce 180 vehicle commute trips.

King County Metro – Green Bike Pilot Project $225,420

The “Green Bike Pilot” project provides drive-alone commuters with new commuter bicycles, training and gear in exchange for a pledge to reduce their drive-alone trips by 60 percent. Bike mentors will provide social support to new participants with route planning, tune-ups and bicycle safety training. Participants who fulfill their pledge will get to keep their bikes and will gain a healthy and sustainable commute habit. This unique project will help improve environmental and personal health, mobility and livable communities by providing a low-cost, carbon-free commute choice for commuters throughout King County. This project proposes to reduce 510 vehicle commute trips.

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REI – Commuting Reduction Challenge $97,500

The “REI-Commuting Reduction Challenge” reduces commute trips by increasing opportunities for teleworking, creating new incentives and support for commute options, and providing Flexcar benefits for non-drive-alone commuters. The project proposes to reduce 260 vehicle commute trips.

Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber – Destination Downtown Door to Door $109,800

This project responds to increased traffic congestion and parking demand as a result of strong office and residential growth in downtown Tacoma. This project enhances Tacoma’s existing Commute Trip Reduction program by providing incentives and transit subsidies to downtown commuters and residents to reduce vehicle commute trips and vehicle miles traveled. This project proposes to reduce 300 vehicle commute trips.

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Trip Convergence LTD – Flexible Carpooling to SeaTac $86,000

This project implements a flexible carpooling system from a parking facility in the vicinity of I-5 and SR 18 in Federal Way to the SeaTac Airport. The project will provide 100 parking spaces at the flexible carpooling parking facility. Approved members of the system will drive to the flexible carpooling parking facility and using the special parking layout, either park and become riders in other cars, or provide a ride for other members on order of arrival. Participants’ use of the parking facility is tracked through an infrared and radio frequency ID technology. Based on the record of each trip, ride credits will be transferred between riders and drivers. Since some members will always want to drive and other members will always want to ride, an online market will enable buying and selling of ride credits. This project proposes to reduce 100 vehicle commute trips.

Whatcom Council of Government – Smart Trips Bicycle Rack Shelters $21,010

The “Smart Trip” project offers financial incentives to participating employers to lower the cost of purchasing and installing bicycle racks and shelters. Participating employers who administer the bicycle commuting program at their worksites can receive performance incentives in proportion to the number of vehicle commute trips reduced at the worksite. This project proposes to reduce 58 vehicle commute trips.

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Washington State Dept. of Fish and Wildlife – Commuting with Natures $31,000

The “Commuting with Nature” project provides incentives to 1,200 employees of the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife across the state who use alternative modes at least 60 percent of the time each month. Each eligible employee will receive a $5 gift every month. They are also eligible for quarterly drawing for ten $150 gifts and one annual drawing for a $1,000 gift. At the end of the project, participating employees who maintained 90 percent participation will be eligible for a special drawing of $500. The project proposes to reduce 100 vehicle commute trips.

NW Region Corson – There’s Nothing to Lose $3,200

The “There’s Nothing to Lose” project provides additional incentives to encourage employees to share the ride to the Corson worksite in Seattle. Program enhancements include offering incentives to employees who register on the internal ridematching tool, establishing HOV reserved parking, providing a bonus incentive to employees, and promoting CTR successes. The project targets 105 employees. The goal is to attract 20 employees to switch their drive-alone habit to a commuting alternative. This project proposes to reduce 8 vehicle commute trips. 
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