04 ATTACHMENT 2 - Laserfiche WebLink

DRAFT 3. Circulation Element Pleasanton is a leader in this field and focuses on the use of commute alternatives such as walking, biking, telecommuting, carpooling, vanpooling, and the use of public transportation to help reduce traffic in our community. The City of Pleasanton is one of 44 Pleasanton employers included in the EPA's fifth annual list of the Bay Area's Best Workplaces for Commuters in October 2006. The list commends Bay Area employers committed to improving the quality of life for employees, while at the same time helping to reduce traffic and air pollution. In addition to recognizing individual employers, the coalition also designated the Hacienda Business Park as one of the best districts for commuters, in recognition of the wide variety of commute alternatives available in the park. The City's Commendable Commutes program is a partnership between the City of Pleasanton and local employers with 75 or more employees to help reduce peak-hour traffic and air pollution through the promotion of transportation alternatives. Employers who wish to enroll in the program enter into a participation agreement with the City and agree to develop atrip-reduction program and goals, conduct a bi-annual transportation survey, and appoint a management-level employee as a transportation coordinator, who represents the employer as a member of the Transportation Committee. The requirements of this program are covered under the City's Transportation Systems Management ordinance. Funds for this program are provided in part by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District's Transportation Fund for Clean Air. The City of Pleasanton also promotes an internal employee trip-reduction program, known as pRide, which provides incentives for city employees who usually drive to try a commute alternative such as riding public transit, carpooling, walking or biking. Programs include parking cashout, prize drawings, transit subsidies, and a guaranteed ride home in case of illness, family emergency, unscheduled overtime or missed rideshare trip. The City of Pleasanton surveys residents and employees on a bi-annual basis to measure progress towards trip reduction goals, to determine public awareness of the many commute programs and incentives available to them, and to learn which incentives would further encourage residents and employees to use commute alternatives. Findings of the 2006 survey include: nearly nine out of ten residents drive alone to work and eight out of ten employees drive alone to work; the average commute among residents is 19 miles and takes 32 minutes while employees travel an average of 19.9 miles and their commute takes 34 minutes; the most popular alternative commute modes among solo drivers (residents and employees) are carpooling and BART; the most popular ridesharing incentive among residents and employees is a guaranteed ride home from work in the event of an emergency; and, awareness of TDM programs is generally low, with less than one-third of residents and employees aware of each program. The report concluded that the City of Pleasanton could boost awareness among residents and employees in several ways, including: partnering with local realtors to provide Circulation Element 012908 Clean 3-42 City Council 012908