Commuter Challenge Events :

Measuring & Rewarding Success

ACT International Conference

Indian Wells, CA

Aug 30, 2010

Rick Steele

NuRide, Inc.Paula Sakofs

MetroPool, Inc.

Katrina Bayer

Houston-Galveston Area Council

With specified (1) modes (2) start date (3) end date and (4) measurable goals

A Commuter Challenge Event is a “Race”

Specify goals

Measuring Goals Requires Automated Processes & Incentives

Provide automated method to

collect data

Provide incentive to record data

Recognize winners!

Earth Day Commuter Challenge Race to the Finish in NY & CT

Paula SakofsMetroPool, Inc.

5

About MetroPool, Inc.

• Award-winning non-profit commuter services company

• Serving New York and Connecticut commuters for 30 years

• New York– Provide services in Hudson Valley (six counties – Westchester, Rockland,

Orange, Dutchess, Putnam and Ulster)

– Funded by New York State Department of Transportation

• Connecticut– Provide services in Fairfield County

– Funded by Connecticut Department of Transportation

6

Earth Day Race to the Finish

• Tri-State 5,000,000 Rideshare Challenge– Goal: reduce 5 million miles of driving in NY and CT

– Mode: ridesharing

– Launch date: April 2007

– Method: ridesharing trips recorded on NuRide

– Promotion: launched by Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell

• Earth Day Race to the Finish– Modified event in January 2008 to achieve 5 million mile goal by Earth Day

– Developed races for employers at www.earthdaycommuterchallenge.com

– Developed races so that smaller companies can also win (participation rate)

– Results updated every day automatically be user entered data

– Develop marketing toolkit with logo, emails, articles and flyers

7www.earthdaycommuterchallenge.com

8

Success!

• Exceeded the 5 million mile goal!

• Engaged over 10,000 commuters and 1,500 companies

• Received important government and media exposure (TV, print, etc.)

9

So Popular it’s Now an Annual Event!

• Peapod sponsored event in ‘09 & ‘10 with weekly prizes of $100

• Added support for all modes in ‘09 (bike, walk, transit, telecommute)

• Promoted events on Facebook and Twitter in ‘10

• Added photos of all winners ‘10

• Results continued to increase every year across all categories!

10

2009 2010

11

Continued Success in 2009 & 2010

Results 2009 2010 % increase

Commuters 12,756 15,359 20%

Companies 1,859 2,068 11%

Reduced car trips 223,331 338,255 51%

Reduced VMT 6,229,518 9,386,854 51%

Reduced tons emissions 2,740 4,190 53%

Gallons of gas saved 281,887 432,898 54%

H-E-B 15,000,000 Mile Commuter Challenge

Katrina BayerHouston-Galveston Area Council

13

About H-GAC / Commute Solutions

• The Houston-Galveston Area Council is the Council of Government

for thirteen counties and the Metropolitan Planning Organization for

the eight county Houston-Galveston-Brazoria nonattainment region

• The area served by the MPO has over 5 million residents

• H-GAC’s Commute Solutions Program– “One-stop” alternative transportation resource for commuters and businesses

– Vanpool program

– NuRide

– Commuter & transit pilot projects

– Commuter champion / clean air champion programs

– Telework program

14

H-E-B 15 Million Mile Commuter Challenge

• Goal: reduce 15 million miles of driving in Houston-Galveston area

• Modes: walk, bike, telecommute, carpool, vanpool, public transit

• Launch date: January 2008

• Method: alternative commute trips recorded on NuRide web site

• Promotion: launched by Houston Mayor & Harris County Judge

15

H-E-B Sponsorship Was Very Valuable

• The largest independent grocer in Texas with hundreds of locations

• Provided participants with $5 off groceries every week

• Provided $1,000 in groceries for seven of the “million mile

milestone” prize winners

• Provided free groceries for a year to grand prize winner

• During the challenge H-E-B provided over $80,000 in grocery rewards

Supported by over 75 other Sponsors

17www.hebcommuterchallenge.com

18

Outstanding Results

• Exceeded the 15 million mile goal (22 million total!)

• Engaged 14,000 commuters

• Received important government and media exposure (TV, print, etc.)

• Commuters earn $345,345 in rewards all paid for by sponsors

• Sponsored rewards count towards CMAQ local match

• Sponsors continue to offer rewards after event concluded!

14,000 commuters

$345,000 in rewards

CMAQmatch

Lessons Learned

Rick SteeleNuRide, Inc.

20

Other Commuter Challenge Events

“Moo’v to a Greener Commute”

Free spicy chicken sandwiches

“Groceries for Going Green”

$5 off & weekly $100 winners

“Kick Off Your Commute”

$10 off & weekly $100 winners

“Burrito Bucks Month”

Free burritos for referring friends

21

Lessons Learned

• Real results matter

• Results need to be recorded

• Commuters will record their activity if given ongoing incentives

• Periodic prizes add excitement but don’t replace ongoing incentives

• Sponsors will provide incentives at no cost to you!

• Sponsored incentives can count toward local CMAQ match

For more information visit:

www.nuride.com/events

Rick Steele

NuRide, Inc.Paula Sakofs

MetroPool, Inc.

Katrina Bayer

Houston-Galveston Area Council