Program innovation, with the foundation of management support, is the key to the outstanding results for WSDOT, Northwest Region. The motivation to save resources and promote community and staff involvement comes from the key personnel who are responsible for implementation of the Northwest Region's CTR program and the outreach to resolve commute problems. The program has incentives for carpooling, vanpooling, walking, biking and using public transit. The Northwest Region's ETC works tirelessly together with staff and management to encourage commute changes from driving alone.

In the past year, innovations included the developing a remote CTR office at the Corson worksite in the SODO neighborhood of Seattle to serve as a drop-in center for employees to get commute information and to serve as a business center for employees. A bike station was built at Shoreline headquarters with covered bike storage, lockers and key card access. Another innovation is the development of an internal WSDOT ridematch website tool to promote communications and commitment to alternatives. The tool especially targets matching business trip commutes during the day to further reduce drive-alone trips. This translates to cost savings for the budget and using state resources more efficiently.

Congratulations to WSDOT, Northwest Region, for walking the talk and setting the example for all employers in our region.

 

*Some definitions: An "ETC" is the staff-level employee transportation coordinator responsible for the daily administration of the transportation program. "SOV" stands for single-occupant vehicle, and "CTR" for commute trip reduction.