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PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT Developing Successful CS Programs MAIN SECTION
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The Challenge
Central Texas is one of the fastest growing regions in the country, and along with growth comes the comes the challenge of managing how we get around. As thousands and thousands more cars pour onto our roads each year, the costs to our productivity, economy and health begin to mount. Lost time spent in traffic, damage to our lungs from pollution, possible penalties for nonattainment of air quality regulations and added stress from congestion, all threaten our quality of life.
In many instances, the most formidable challenge
is rush hour. Putting tens of thousands of people commuting to work
alone in their cars on the roads at the same time overburdens the
already limited roads, and creates a quagmire of congestion and
pollution with frustrated drivers and lengthy drive times.
Managing
the Demand
All of these strategies reduce the number of single-occupant vehicles on the roads, thus allowing for reduced congestion and pollution. Additionally, many of them offer personal benefits for individuals and cost savings for employers. Since most of the strategies address the commute to work, they are collectively known as "Commute Solutions Programs." While Commute Solutions programs carry many benefits, commuters often aren't aware of what each has to offer. Additionally, many employees don't have a grasp of different options and need information and encouragement to explore Commute Solutions programs. A variety of nonprofit and government agencies offer resources to promote the programs, but the most effective motivators and educators often are the employers themselves. After all, you spend the majority of your waking hours at work, and a significant amount of time getting to work. The Commute Solutions point person at an employment site provides resources, planning and encouragement and is known as the Employee Transportation Coordinator, or ETC. The ETC is the crucial element in tying together all the details and offering a human touch—someone whose goal is to provide choices for transportation that benefit co-workers and employer.
The
Commute Solutions Coalition Austin
Idea Network For the current Coalition membership (members have changed since this manual was developed), see our Partners page. Several other government and nonprofit agencies participate in the group, making the Coalition a diverse advocate for alternative transportation. Coalition projects include the area's annual Commute Solutions Month, numerous employer fairs and additional events to educate the public. The Coalition spearheaded the Let's Ride project, which includes a training program, outreach efforts and this manual/CD-ROM aimed at providing resources for ETCs.
The
Let's Ride Project
Breathing Easier by
Reducing Ozone Ozone, the main component in smog, forms when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) combine and "cook" in the sun. Some ozone exists all the time, but it can reach unhealthy levels under the right conditions (hot, sunny days with little wind). Human sources of NOx and VOCs include internal combustion engines, electric generating units, industrial facilities, and many everyday activities such as painting and pumping gas. In Central Texas, data indicate that the biggest contributors to NOx emissions are mobile sources (cars, trucks, and other vehicles). As the Central Texas population grows, so does the amount of air pollution (emissions) from human sources. As a result, we are currently in violation of the federal ozone standard, which means the Environmental Protection Agency could designate the area in nonattainment of the Clean Air Act in the coming years. Continued violation would make us ineligible for certain federal transportation funds. To avoid these regulations and penalties, we hope to start early and finish early—to clean up our own air so that we can breathe more easily now.
What you can do . . . For more information on air quality and ozone, contact: Clean Air Partners CLEAN AIR Force of Central Texas Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
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