Smarter transportation case study #12: Telecommute program in Washington State

Washington State has created incentives for employees of large companies to pursue alternatives to driving, often through telecommuting.

The Washington State Legislature passed a law in 1991 aimed at encouraging employer-based programs that promote alternatives to driving alone, with the hopes that this step would relieve roadways and clear the air. By 2009, the Commute Trip Reduction Law had resulted in new programs at more than 1,000 worksites statewide, with commuters joining a carpool or vanpool, riding the bus, bicycling, walking or working from home.

Updates to the law in 2006 expanded responsibility for the program to local governments, directing jurisdictions to establish new goals and policies for reducing drive-alone trips and
vehicle miles traveled. The roles of participants in the program are as follows:

• Major employers implement their programs based on locally adopted goals for reducing vehicle trips and VMT as established by the city or county in which they do their business. Groups of employers, such as transportation management associations or chambers of commerce, may also partner to provide services and support to commuters.
• Local governments provide technical assistance and services to employers to help them achieve the goals and may also run their own service.
• Transit agencies operate services such as bus and vanpools and coordinate services and support with local governments.
• Regional transportation planning organizations provide planning support and coordination across jurisdictions.
• Washington Department of Transportation administers funding, guides the program with policies and procedures and coordinates measurement and evaluation of the program.
• The Governor-appointed Reduction Board sets the overall policy direction and funding levels for the program and reports to the legislature every two years on the effectiveness of the program.

As part of the new program focus in 2007, Growth and Transportation Efficiency Centers were located within some of the densest and most congested employment centers in the state, but also in smaller worksites, schools and neighborhoods and established worksites. Between, 2007 to 2009, these dense employment centers have demonstrated the greatest performance — about nine times more successful than all other Commute Trip Reduction sites — driving the overall progress of the program towards its statewide goals.

Many employers have praised the program.

“Technology enables flexible work arrangements, and EDS is a technology company. It is natural for us to provide our employees with work options,” said Guyanna Young, Communications Director at Electronic Data Systems