Commuter Challenge

A Reality Check

Kathryn WinklerExecutive Director, FounderSustainable Alberta Association

Coordinator of the National Commuter Challenge

223,12 Ave SW, Calgary Alberta, (403) 294-0904www.calgarycocommute.cawww.commuterchallenge.ca

Commuter Challenge

What it is Expanding into year round programming National program Opportunities

Commuter Challenge

What it Is:

is a not-for-profit initiative to promote healthier* commuting

healthier including personal, social health, environmental, economical

a one week event during National Environment Week

a friendly competition between organizations and municipalities for the distinction of having the healthiest commuters

Since 1991

Commuter Challenge is:

Practical Definition A valuable social marketing tool designed to change people’s

commuter behaviour.

Opportunity to engage workplaces.– Use the resources of the organization– Peer influence – co-workers, management– Make sustainable commuting part of the popular culture

Opportunity to compile workplace contact for year round TDM programming and collect valuable commuter data.

2008 National Commuter Challenge Results

Results

41,580 Registered Participants 25 Canadian Cities 1700 Workplaces

KM Saved 3,168,922 km Gas Saved 115,811 liters GHG emissions 484,719 kg C02 302,142 kg

Commuter Challenge Results (one Canadian City)

Results

11% of all participants who participated in the Commuter Challenge changed their behaviour from a drive alone car commute.

Of those 11%, 95% continued to use alternative modes

throughout the summer (Based on a survey conducted 4 month after the event)

Compare -All registered commuters with -Commuters who changed behaviour for the week.

Mode used one or more times during the event

26%

13%

3%40%

15%

3%Walking

Cycling

Other

Transit

CarpoolingTeleworking

Mode used one or more times during the event

19%

24%

3%

31%

23%

Survey of car drivers onlySurvey all participants

Expanding into Year Round Programming

Workplace survey

Willingness to change

If you usually commute by driving alone, please choose the statement that best reflects your feelings on taking alternative transportation.

I would consider carpooling/vanpooling some of the time 63% I would consider taking transit some of the time 42%I would consider walking/cycling some of the time 37.5%

Identify additional opportunities

Number of Trips by Mode

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

Worked from home

Did not w ork

Other

Partial w alk/transit

Bicycle

Carpool/vanpool

Car/motorcycle

Partial drive/transit

Walked/run/rollerbladed

Took public transit

Incentives to motivate Transit use

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

80.00%

Subsidizedmonthly transit

passes

Transitservice near

my home

Sale of transitpasses at

w ork

Transit stoplocation tow ork site

Transit routeand

schedulinginformation

Guaranteeride home inthe event of

an emergency

More f lexiblew ork hours

Change ofw ork shift

Child carefacilities at ornear my w ork

site

More f ixedw ork hours

Items in orange are incentives that could be supported by TundraItems in blue are typically not easily influenced by Tundra

Barriers to taking transit

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%

I need my car to take kids to or from daycare or school

I have a disability that makes it difficult

I need my car for business reasons

I have to make too many transfers

I have personal safety concerns

I like the independence of having my car

I need my car to do errands or for personal reasons after or before work

Transit service doesn't run frequently enough

Other

I walk, rollerblade, cycle, share a ride or telework

Taking transit takes too much time

Items in orange are incentives that could be supported by TundraItems in blue are typically not easily influenced by Tundra

Incentives to motivate Walking/Cycling

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

Show ersand clothing

lockers

Bike routesand bikelanes onstreets

Moresidew alksand saferpedestriancrossing

areas

Secure &convenient

bicycleparking racks

Access tobicycle route

maps

Bicyclelockers

Anexperienced

cyclist or“Bike Buddy”to ride w ith

More f lexiblew ork hours

Guaranteedride home inthe event of

anemergency

Seminars onsafe cycling,

w alking,jogging

Items in orange are incentives that could be supported by TundraItems in blue are typically not easily influenced by Tundra

Barriers to Walk/jog or Cycle

0.00% 10.00% 20.00% 30.00% 40.00% 50.00% 60.00% 70.00% 80.00%

I have a disability that makes it difficult

It takes too much effort to change my routine

I feel uncomfortable cycling/walking/jogging/blading alone

I am uncertain of cycling and walking routes

There are not adequate facilities to store bikes

I feel unsafe when commuting in the dark

I feel uncomfortable arriving at work in walking/cycling/jogging/blading attire

Errands before and after work make these options difficult

It is too difficult to transport clothes and work materials

I feel unsafe cycling in traffic

There are not adequate facilities to change and store extra clothing and gear

It takes too much time to get to work using these methods

I take public transit, share a ride, or telecommute

There are not adequate facilities to shower

The distance from home to work is too far

Items in orange are incentives that could be supported by TundraItems in blue are typically not easily influenced by Tundra

National Program

Commuter Challenge Host Organizations

Baker Creek Enhancement Society Bathurst Sustainable Development BEST Boundary Air Quality Committee Canmore Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley

City of Banff City of Edmonton City of Grand Prairie City of Kamloops City of Kamloops City of Peterborough City of Regina - Climate Change Program County of Lambton EcoSuperior

Green Venture i-Go Kawartha Lakes PEI Transit Coalition Prince Albert Parkland Health Region RDCS & BC Transit Recreation and Park Association of the Yukon Region of Waterloo Resource Conservation Manitoba Smart Commute Sustainable Alberta Association The Corporation of the City of Guel TRAX Tres West Kootney Eco Society

Canadian Commuter Challenge Steering Committee

Create a collective front for social marketing Consistent & convenient reporting tools National data – opportunity to identify trends Coordinated message Leverage advertising dollar Partner with national private sector, ngos, government, and media.

2009 Program and Partners

TeleTrips – Sponsor of national committee and software TeleTrips – Promoting teleworking at the highest levels of

government and private industry TELUS – National sponsor Environment Canada –Commuter Challenge and Défi

Transport names Official Marks of the Crown Clean Air Day cross promotion Municipal initiatives - Commuter events ProCycle CBC

Opportunities

Changed commuter behavior during the event is lasting.

Unique opportunity to leverage workplace resources to change commuter behavior

Utilize peer influence at the workplace to change behavior

Use result data to demonstrate social norm to influence future behavior change

Springboard for year round programming and partnerships

Package Triple Bottom Line results

Opportunities

Opportunities

A win for Government A win for workplaces A win for private interest The public is receptive to the program

Commuter Challenge

A Reality Check

Kathryn WinklerExecutive Director,Sustainable Alberta Association

Coordinator of the National Commuter Challenge

223,12 Ave SW, Calgary Alberta, (403) 294-0904www.calgarycocommute.cawww.commuterchallenge.ca