TOOLS FOR WORKSITES
The purpose of a worksite CTR program is for an employer to inform employees of their options and develop strategies that encourage them to use these modes on a regular basis.
The Employee Transportation Coordinator or ETC is important to managing the whole program. ETCs work with individual employees to help them to find a commute alternative. ETCs also work with management to develop new CTR policies and programs for the worksite.
An organization can start by identifying the commute alternatives that are available to its employees, then developing the strategies that help employees to begin and continue using commute alternatives.
Potential commute alternatives to encourage:
Carpooling: an option for virtually every worksite
Vanpooling: best for commutes 15 miles or more/one way
Riding the Bus: appropriate when a bus service is within walking distance of a worksite
Walking: best for employees living within 2 miles
Bicycling: best for employees living within 7 miles
Teleworking: best for employees who "manage information"
Compressed Work Week: best when work functions allow you to extend the regular work day.
Supporting Strategies
There are a variety of strategies that can be implemented at a worksite to help employees reduce drive alone commute trips:
Parking Management: One of the most effective CTR strategies for a worksite is controlling supply, price and location of parking.
Incentives and Subsidies: Paying for a portion of an employee's bus pass or vanpool fee are positive strategies, and increasingly common at Thurston County worksites. Rewards for using a mode other than driving alone, whether its prizes, gifts or a regular financial incentive are successful strategies for maintaining on-going participation in a program.
On site amenities: Amenities that reduce the need to have a car at work are simple but important, and can benefit the entire workforce. These amenities might include a cafeteria or food delivery service, direct payroll deposit, an ATM, and dry cleaning delivery services.
Facilities: Secure bicycle parking, in the form of covered racks or bike lockers are critical for promoting bicycling. Showers, lockers can make bicycle commuting much more convenient.
Emergency Ride Home: This program provides a free ride home to an employee who arrived at work by a method other than driving alone, but must return home unexpectedly. In Thurston County, all state employees are eligible for an emergency ride home program—certain conditions apply. Contact the ETC at your worksite or Amber Nguyen at WSDOT, 360-705-7877 for more information. Many employers including state agencies allow the use of fleet vehicles for this purpose. Emergency Ride Home Coordinator Instructions for ETCs [pdf 51 KB]
Ridematching: Helping employees find a carpool partner is most successful when done by an ETC or a regional ridematch service.
Flex-time: Allows employees to carpool, vanpool or ride the bus while still working a full day.
Fleet vehicles: Access to a fleet vehicle eliminates having to use a personal car for work purposes.
Low Cost Program Ideas
- It is important that employees have access to information and that your organization maintains an awareness of CTR. Here are a few ideas that help keep people informed and aware of your CTR program.
- Bulletin Boards displays of different modes
- Email messages about your program
Crosswords and word games
- Photo displays of commuters
- Poetry contests
- Letters from management encouraging trip reduction
- Management reminders in staff meetings
- Success stories about commuters in newsletters or emails
- Designating bicycle parking space beneath stairwells or in other under-utilized areas
- Installing clothing hooks in restrooms for bicyclists and walkers
- Allowing employees who have arrived at work by mode other than driving alone to use fleet vehicles in emergencies and posting this policy on a CTR bulletin board
Networking in Thurston County
Since many worksite programs are similar, it's helpful to learn about other employer's programs. In Thurston County, ETCs get together at ETC Networking Sessions to discuss their programs and learn about new strategies and services. For more information about ETC Networking Sessions in Thurston County contact TRPC.
State agencies should review WSDOT's web page on CTR for information and guidance, www.ctr.wa.gov.