Hi all,
I am working on a project that reduces the number of employees commuting by single-occupancy vehicle (SOV) trips, specifically in low density urban areas (most New Zealand cities (excluding the biggies like Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch) basically).
In New Zealand the system with public transport is a little bit strange in that funding is NOT a given. So what generally happens is that in low density areas the public transport is not great, if it is there at all. As a result there is a perception by employees that there is little other choice than to drive alone in the car.
What I am trying to do is find ways of encouraging employees to change their travel behaviour to more sustainable modes (busing, taking the train, car-pooling, walking, cycling etc.) and in particular I was wondering if anyone has attempted this and has some specific practices that worked.
From reading on other forums posted, a factor I have a feeling might be important is Local Government funding, and with the situation in New Zealand this is not always readily availble. I am interested therefore in both Local Goverentment initiatives AND "bottom up" type approaches.
Thanks in advance,
Rachael Law
Rachael Law
Environmental Student
Powerco
New Zealand
Reducing Single-occupancy Vehicle Commutes
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Hi Rachael:
I would encourage you to look both at increasing the barriers to single occupant driving (e.g., reducing parking, increasing parking rates, etc.) while also reducing the barriers to the behaviors you wish to increase the frequency of. For example, with biking, we need bike paths, shower facilities, bike lockers, etc. Occasionally, an action to reduce the barriers to one activity, such as providing high occupancy lanes for carpoolers which reduces their commute time, also increases the barriers to the behavior you wish to discourage (high occupancy lanes make single occupant commutes longer).
Hope this helps. Best, Doug
Doug McKenzie-Mohr
Environmental Psychologist
McKenzie-Mohr & Associates Inc.
Canada
http://www.cbsm.com
Hi Rachael,
There's a bunch of work done on this area that can be found on the TravelSmart website in Australia & Victoria:
http://www.travelsmart.gov.au/index.html (no longer being updated)
http://www.transport.vic.gov.au/projects/travelsmart
It's hard to be specific, as every site is different and it's best to focus your work on areas that will be most effective. ie, if there isn't great public transport to your workplace, don't spend too much time promoting it.
Happy to discuss further.
Chris
[email protected]
Chris Hui
Sustainable Transport Officer
City of Boroondara
Australia
www.boroondara.vic.gov.au
Hi Rachael,
It is also important to consider the barriers that confront a person but are best addressed by others. Doug pointed out a few (HOV lanes, shower facilities, etc.) There are others as well. For instance, some people report difficulty in find a carpool partner that starts and ends work at the same time as them. An employer that allows flexible hours can alleviate that barrier for all employees.
Similarly, we often hear from people that they feel they need to have their vehicle at work in case there is some sort of emergency at home (like a sick child at school that must be picked up.) Some employers remove this barrier for their employees by guaranteeing a ride home, often through a free taxi ride.
By taking a wide view of the barriers that are preventing people from taking alternative transportation, and also a wide view of who can best eliminate the barriers, one can foster more behaviour change through targeted barrier removal.
Cheers,
Ken
Ken Donnelly
Vice President, Atlantic Canada
Lura Consulting
Canada
www.beyondattitude.com