Full time employees who use alternate modes most often indicate that convenience and/or saving gas money are the primary motivations for using those modes of transportation for their commute. The percentage of employed residents citing saving money on gas as a motivation for alternate mode usage doubled in comparison to 2007 (from 16% up to 32%).
Companies not meeting the minimum requirements of the TRP Ordinance can indeed be fined. Civil penalties start at $100 for the first violation, $200 for the second violation, and $300 for the third and subsequent violations. Each calendar day out of compliance with the ordinance results in a separate violation, and violations are back dated to the first day of non-compliance. It is important to note that falling short of your annual TRP program goal is not a violation, and that a company making a good faith effort to reduce their employee drive alone rate will not be fined.
If you are a new TC for a company already in the TRP, you need to speak with the previous TC to discuss best practices and to get fully updated on the status of the program. Should that person be unavailable, a new TC should gather all TRP related paperwork at their disposal and contact a Valley Metro Rideshare representative (602-534-6472) who can help with keeping the program on track. TCs at brand new companies will receive instruction from the County Air Quality staff and Valley Metro Rideshare prior to implementing a program.
According to the ordinance, a company must designate a Transportation Coordinator (TC) to act as a representative to the County on Trip Reduction issues; survey all employees once a year to determine commute habits and submit an approvable trip reduction plan to the County Trip Reduction Task Force. The company is also required to submit documentation annually proving the incentives in the TRP plan have been implemented.
All of our region’s employers and schools have been given the goal of reducing single occupant vehicle trips and/or miles traveled to the work site by 10% from an initial survey year baseline, a further 10% reduction each year from years 2-5, and a 5% reduction each year until the overall target of a 60 percent rate of single occupant vehicle travel at each work site is reached.
The annual employee survey is the County’s only tool to assess each worksite’s current single occupancy vehicle (SOV) rate, and the SOV rate is the key to determining the effectiveness of the trip reduction plan. TCs should strive for a 100% survey return rate in order to accurately capture the commuting habits of all employees and driving age students. If the survey response rate is below 60%, the County may require the TC to survey the employees again. This ensures the trip reduction plan is based on accurate employee commuting data, and provides incentives based on the alternative modes of transportation employees are willing to pursue.
Plan forms that are completed and signed by both the TC and the Highest Ranking Local Official (HRLO) should be faxed to the Trip Reduction Division offices. The fax number is located at the top right of the plan form - 602-506-6669.
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality uses guidelines developed by the California Air Resources Board regarding motorcycles and air pollution. This website can be viewed at CARB Motorcycle Guidelines.
The research conducted shows that motorcycles produce up to 15 times the emissions per mile as the average new car or light duty truck. Because of the relatively light motorcycle traffic compared to car traffic in the Valley, the impact of motorcycle pollution is not urgently addressed. This information is disseminated when the topic arises, but the main focus of TRP continues to be the significant congestion and pollution caused by cars and trucks on Valley highways.
While it is true that motorcycles get better gas mileage, they are still not a less polluting alternative to cars. In fact, according to the EPA, under the current hydrocarbon standard (in effect as of 2004) large SUVs are still about 95% cleaner than today’s motorcycle. Further information on this can be seen in this document on the EPA’s website, linked here:
EPA Regulations.
The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) allows motorcycles in the HOV lanes for safety reasons, not air pollution reasons. The HOV lane keeps motorcycles on one side of the freeway and in a lane with lower vehicle volume. So while motorcycles may be fun, cost effective, and cheaper to operate than Hybrid vehicles, air pollution data still shows motorcycles have a negative impact on the Valley’s air quality. This is why they cannot be included in TRP efforts.