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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 8.5 VoluntaryTripReducePgm CITY CLERK File #590-80 AGENDA STATEMENT CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: April 2, 2002 SUBJECT: Report on Voluntary Trip Reduction Programs Report Prepared by: Lee S. Thompson, Public Works Director ATTACHMENTS: RECOMMENDATION: 1) City of Pleasanton TSM Ordinance No. 1708 2) City of San Ramon TSM Ordinanc'e No. 301 '~Q~Receive Report and provide direction to Staff FINANCIAL STATEMENT: If the City decides to implement a voluntary trip reduction program in a manner similar to the Cities of Pleasanton and San Ramon, a new full-time position would likely be needed to administer the program. DESCRIPTION: As part of the Goals and Objectives process, the City Council requested that Staff investigate the process of developing a Trip Reduction Program. Staff recently surveyed adjacent Bay Area cities regarding voluntary trip reduction programs in an effort to explore the possibility of developing such a program in Dublin. The cities included in the survey were Danville, Livermore, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Walnut Creek. Only Pleasanton and San Ramon were found to have voluntary trip reduction programs. In the early 1990's, many public agencies in Califomia participated in mandatory trip reduction programs that were imposed on businesses employing over a certain number of people (e.g., over 100 employees) to encourage the employees to use alterriate transportation to the single-occupant vehicle (SOV) to get to and from work. In 1992, the City of Dublin established a Trip Reduction Ordinance (TRO) as a requirement for receiving grant monies through the Alameda County Congestion Management Agency (ACCMA). This requirement was a result of Proposition 111, which was approved in 1990 and mandated by the Alameda County-Wide Congestion Management Program. At that time, Dublin was required to contact and work with businesses in the City that employed over 100 people to encourage alternative modes of transportation to the SOV. In September 1994, the City transferred this responsibility to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), as Dublin did not have adequate Staff or funds to continue administering this program. COPIES TO: ITEM NO. 4~5 G:\TRAFFIC\agst_trip reduction program.doc In October 1995, the California Legislature adopted SB 437, which prohibited any public agency from imposing an employee trip reduction program on an employer unless federal law expressly required the program, and which elimination of the program would result in the imposition of federal sanctions,. including, but not limited to, the loss of federal funds for transportation purposes. As such, TRO requirements administered by local or regional public agencies in California were rescinded pursuant to SB 437. Some cities in the Bay Area continued to operate trip reduction programs on a voluntary basis and staffed the programs with full-time employees. For example, in March 1997, the City of Pleasanton adopted Transportation Systems Management (TSM) Ordinance No. 1708 to create a voluntary, rather than mandatory, employer trip reductiOn program (Attachment 1). Under this ordinance, every existing or furore employer with 75 or more employees wishing to enroll in the TSM program entered into a Participation Agreement with the City of Pleasanton to develop an employer trip reduction program and conduct a bi-annual employee transportation survey to monitor and improve the effectiveness of the program. Such an employer program had the ability to include alternative/flexible work hours, carpooling, vanpooling, a compressed workweek, and/or telecommuting. The employer covers the cost to implement the voluntary trip reduction program. At the present time, there are 24 employers participating in trip reduction programs under Pleasanton's voluntary TSM ordinance. Pleasanton has a full-time employee to administer the ordinance and provide support, guidance and assistance to employers who enroll in the TSM program. The last employee transportation survey was conducted in year 2000 and had a response rate of only 15%. According to this survey, the drive-alone rate was measured at 80%, which showed an improvement of approximately 3% over 1998. Only 2% of survey respondents work a compressed schedule; with most working a regular 5-day-a-week full-time schedule. In June 1998, the City of San Ramon adopted Ordinance No. 301 (Attachment 2), establishing a Voluntary Transportation System Management (TSM) Program. This program was designed to promote and encourage use of transit, ridesharing, bicycling, walking, flexible work hours and telecommuting as alternatives to solo driving. These objectives are incorporated, as appropriate, into San Ramon's land use review and planning process. A TSM Advisory Committee was established as part of this program and is composed of one representative of the Transportation Committee of the San Ramori City Council, a San Ramon Transportation Analyst, and five members appointed by the City Council, each representing an employer or complex. The TSM Advisory Committee develops and recommends incentive trip reduction programs for commuters by coordinating efforts with employers and complexes within San Ramon. For the most part, the San Ramon TSM program seeks out employers with 50 or more employees at a work site. There are currently 260 employers participating in the program, with the majority of these employers (approximately 70%) being located within Bishop Ranch, which employs 21,000 employees. An employee-based survey is conducted every other year to measure the effectiveness of the TSM program. According to preliminary results from the latest survey (which has not yet been published), there has been a 5% increase in BART and transit use, which is attributed in part to the Express County Connection bus service between the BART station in Dublin and Bishop Ranch. The City of San Ramon has one employee administering the TSM program on a full-time basis. This employee also serves as the Transportation Analyst on the TSM Advisory Committee. The City of Dublin does not currently have a voluntary trip reduction program in place. However, City Staff has encouraged developers in Eastern Dublin through the land use review process to coordinate with the Livermore-Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA) by joining bus pass incentive programs for 2 their employees. Development projeCts in Eastern Dublin, such as Hacienda Crossings, Emerald Point, Micro-Dental, and Sybase each have a cooperative agreement with LAVTA to use the "Flashpass" incentive program. For example, Sybase will receive 667 bus rides per month for $500 under the LAVTA Flashpass program. These bus rides will be offered to Sybase employees free of charge, and will include rides to and from the Dublin BART station. Based on recent discussions between LAVTA and City Staff, LAVTA is fully satisfied with the positive results from the Flashpass program and its contribution to rising transit ridership within the Tri-Valley area. Another program currently in place in Alameda County to help promote ridesharing is the "Guaranteed Ride Home Program." Under this program, any employee who participates in ridesharing, such as carpooling or vanpooling, is guaranteed a free ride home in case of an emergency, illness or other circumstances that may arise. The employee can use this service up to six times a year, and has a choice of using an ACCMA designated taxicab company or renting a vehicle from Enterprise Rent-A-Car. The Guaranteed Ride Home Program is sponsored by the Alameda County Congestion Management Agency (ACCMA) and is funded through the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) program. The ACCMA has allocated $171,000 in TFCA funds for the current two-year cycle of the Countywide Guaranteed Ride Home Program, ending in June 2002. This program will be renewed for the next two-year cycle starting July 1, 2002, and the ACCMA has allocated $171,000 in TFCA funds for the next cycle. Employers with 100 employees or more that are located within Alameda County may participate in this program. The LAVTA Flashpass incentive program and the ACCMA Guaranteed Ride Home Program are cost- effective for the City of Dublin in that both programs come at no cost to the City and require no additional City staffing. On the other hand, a voluntary trip reduction program in Dublin would likely require the addition of one full-time position to administer the program, based on Pleasanton's and San Ramon's experiences with such programs. Furthermore, due to the voluntary nature of the program, the success of any voluntary trip reduction program is typically not guaranteed. · Staff recommends that Council receive this Report and provide direction to Staff. TriE CITY OF PL£AS&NTON Transportation Systems Mangement Ordinance No. 1708 March 18, 1997 P. O. Box 520, Pleasanton, CA 94566-0802 CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF pr.~_ASANTON ALA1M~DA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA ORDINANCE NO. 170g AN OILDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PLEASANTON REPEALING ORDINANCE 1625 AND CHAI~TER 17.24 OF THE PLEASANTON MUNICIPAL CODE AND ADDING A REVISED CHAPTER 17.24 TO THE I~LEASANTON MUNICIPAL CODE CONCE~G A TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM THE CITY COUNCIL OF ~ CITY OF PLmASA1NTOI~ DOES OP. DAIN AS FOLLOWS: Sec~ti0n 1: Ordinance 1625 and Chapter 17..24 of the Pleasanton Municipal Code are hereby repealed. SectiOn 2: Chapter 17,24 is hereby added to the Pleasanton Municipal Code to read as follows: "CHAPTE~ 17.24 Transportation Systems Management 17.24.010 Purpps~. The City has adopted General Plan policies to reduce the tot'al number of average daily waffle (AD'F) trips and to evenly distribute the ADT trips throughout the non-peak hours. The purpose of this Chapter is to implement these policies by creating a voluntary, rather than mandatory, employer trip reduction program. City finds as follows: Although recent legislation (SB 437) [Health and Safety Code §40929] that prohibits public agencies from imposing mandated employer trip reduction programs, the City believes that a voluntary program can accomplish the same objectives as the mandatory program. Transportation planning studies done for the City of Pleasanton and the Tri-Valiey have all indicated the need to manage the transportation system and conserve capacity. The I995 Tri-Vail~y Transportation Plan/Action Plan for B, outes of ll.¢gional SiEni~cance indicates the gateways - 1-680, 1-580, Hwy 84 and Vasco l~,oad - will have more demand than capacity. Traffic studies of Pleasanton's buildout of land use also indicate that many of the critical intersections in Pleasanton will be opcrat/n§ near capacity, The impact of any significant cut through traffic would further aggravate these traffic conditions. Transportation Page 1 .F. planning in Pleasanton relies on continued traffic management strategies to maintain acceptable levels of service, The/3choral. Plan mandates an uncongcsted traffic circulation system, energy conservation, and maintenance of'noise and air quality levels within established standards. The General Plan also mandates reducing the total number of average daily Uaffic (Al)T) trips and minirni~_ng the number of employees travelling to and from work during the peak commute hours through promoting transit, ddesharing, bicycling, walking, telecommuting programs and alternative work hours program. Reductions in traffic trips, both absolutely and within peak hour periods, are beneficial in terms of reducing traffic congestion, vehicle emissions, energy consumption, and noise levels. The improved traffic levels of service, air quality, and ambient noise levels contribute to making the City an attractive and convenient place to live, work, vi,sit, and do business. l~fmimizing inconvenience in conunute trips and retaining an attractive environment will enable employers W: (1) be easily accessible to clients; (2) assure the delivery of§oods and services: and (3) effectively recruit and retain quzli/ied personnel. Voluntary participation by public and private employers is critical to the success of a Transportation Systems Management (TSM) Program. 17.24.020 Definitions. For purposes of this chapter, the following words or phrases shall have meanings as provided in this section: Alternative Work Hours Pr0~arn: Any system for shifting the work-day of an employee so that the work day starts and/or ends outside of the peak periods. Such programs include, but are not limited to: (1) compressed work weeks; (2) staggered work hours involving a shift in the set work hours o£ all employees at the workplace; and (3) flexible work hours involving individually determined work hours within guidelines established by the employer. Bo Caroool: A vehicle occupied by two (2) to six (6) people traveling together between their residences and their work sites or destination for the majority of the total trip distance. Employees who work for different employers, as well as non-emPloyed people, are included within this definition as long as they are in the vehicle for the majority of the total trip distance. "Commute Trip: The trip made by an employee from home-to-work or work-to- home. The commute trip may include stops between home and the work site. Page 2 Comoressed Work Week: A regular full-time work schedule which climinates at' least one round-trip commute trip (both home-to-work and work-to-home) at least once every ~vo (2) weeks. Examples include, but are not limited to, working three twelve-hour days (3/36), four ten-hour days (4/40) within a one week period, or eight nine-hour days and one eight-hour day (9./80) wkhin a two week period. .C. owanute Alternatives: Carpooling, vanpooling, transit, bi~-ycling, walking, and tclecommufing. Employee: Any person working for an employer for either wages or salary, including part-time, seasonal and limited term employees. The term excludes independent contractors. EmPlOy_e_r: Any public or privatc cmploycr, including thc City, with a permanent place of business in the City. Employer Trip Reduction Progr~rn: A program developed and implemented by the employer to provide information, assistance, incentives or other measures for employees to increase commute alternat'rve use, increase the number o£ employees using Alternative Work Hours Program and decrease the number of trips made inside the peak period. Flexible-WorkHours: A system for shifting the workday of an employee so that the workday starts and/or ends outside oft. he peak periods. Level of'Service: A measure of the percentage o£ capacity of a roadway or intersection being used during the peak hour, as determined by the City Engineer, and in accordance with the definition contained in the Highway Capacity Manual, I-IR.B Special Report 87. Peak Hour Periods. Peak Hour. and_P_~ak Periods: The hours from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. during work days for calculating peak hour vehicle reduction. Single-Occupancy Vehicle: A motor vehicle occupied by one (1) person. Survey: A form designed to ascertain employee commute information in order calculate peak hour vehicle reduction, for the work site. Telecommutlng: A system of working at home or at an off-site, non-home tcl¢commut¢ facility for the full work day on a regular basis for at least one day per week. Page 3 Trans_o_clCcation Coordinator: A management employee who is responsible For the implementation of the TSM Program and for fulfilling the conditions of the City/Employer Participation Agreement. The Transportation Coordinator is also a member of the Transportation Committee. T.r_ansportation Committee: Thc Transportation Committee shall consist of' Transportation Coordinators from each employer enrolled in the TtM Program and the City TtM Coordinator, a representative from each of the following may participate: any transit authority serving Plcasanton, Business Parks, Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce, and the Pleasanton Downtown Association. The Transportation Committee shall participate in any and all programs necessary to coordinate and implement citywide TSM efforts. Qo !¢'am~ool: A vehicle occupied by seven (7) to fifteen (15) cmployees including thc driver who commute together To work for the majority of their individual commute trip distance. Employees who work for different employers are included within this definition as long as they are in the vehicle for the majority of'their individual trip distance. ~: Any place o£employment, base of operation or predominant location of the employer including multiple buildings or facilities occupied by thc same employer within the City. A temporary building construction site is excluded from this definition: 17.24.030 Particip_a_tion_ Agreement. Every existing or'future employer with 75 or more employees wishing to enroll in the TSM program shall enter into a Participation Agreement with the City of Pleasanton to do the following: Develop an employer trip reduction program plan designed to achieve the purpose of this Ordinance. Develop cooperatively with the City reasonable and ambitious trip 'reduction goals with thc goals to be based on a variety of criteria, which may include employee commute patterns and times and the corporate environment. A copy of the plan shalt be filed with the City of Plcasanton. · Every other year each employer shall ~ during the month of May, conduct an employee transportation survey at the work site. This survey will provide the employer with monitoring, planning and marketing information to help develop an effective trip reduction program. The aggregate results of the employer survey as well as progress toward the employer's goal shall be shared with the City. Within 30 days following enrollment in the TSM Program, the employer shall appoint a management level employee as the Transportation Coordinator. Page 4 The Transportation Coordinator shall represent the employer as a member o£the Transportation Committee. 17.24.040 City's Participa_t-ipn. The City is committed to providing support, guidance and assistance to employers who enroll in the TSM Program. City shall: Appoint a City TSM Coordinator who will coordinate and staff the Transportation Committee, provide direct support to employers and citywide TSM program. manage the B. Develop and provide marketing materials. Form and support the Transportation Committee that will provide networking opportunities, information sharing, help in designing TSM programs, and participation in applying for grants. D. Offer training for the Transportation Coordinator. Coordinate and/or conduct on-site events. F. Conduct one to two major membemtfip-wide events per year. Sponsor employer recognition through awards, TSM newsletter and local newspaper articles. D~,elo p TSM program guides (e.g. preferential parking, telecommuting, alternative work hours, etc.) L Operate a Guaranteed Ride Home program for participating employers, 17.24.050 Transportation Committee - The Transportation Committee shall be formed and shall participate in any and all programs necessary to coordinate and implement citywide TSM efforts in order to achieve as congestion-free circulation system as feasible. The Transportation Committee shall hold its first meeting within 60 days following thc effective date of this ordinance, and shall continue to meet on a regularly scheduled basis, as determined by the Transportation Committee." Section 3: The ordinance shall be published once within fifteen (15) days after ks adoption in "¥alley Times," a newspaper of general circulation published in the City of Pleasanton, and the complete Ordinance shall be posted for fifteen (15) days in the City Clerk's office within fifteen (15) days after its adoption. Section 4: This Ordinance ghall be effective thirty 00) days after its passage and adoption. Page 5 INTRODUCED at a regular meeting of the City Council o£ the City oi'Pleasanton on March 4, 1997. ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the CityCouncil of the City of Pleasanton on March 18, 1997. AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Councilmembers - Ayala, Dennis, Michelotti, and Mayor Tarver None Councilmember Pico None Michael H. Roush, City Attorney Page 6 ORDINANCE NO. 301 ORDINANCE OF TIlE CITY OF SAN RAMON REPEALING CHAPTER VII, TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT OF DIVISION B-8, OF TI-IE MUNICIPAL CODE AND ADDING CHAPTER VI TO DIVISION B-8 ESTABLISHING A VOLUNTARY TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM MANAGEMENT PROGRAM /.5 · THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAMON DOES ORDAIN as follows: Section 1. The City Council finds that: (a) There continues to be an increase in new employment and housing opportunities in San Ramon and the San Ramon Valley; (b) Transportation System Management (TSM) Programs have the potential to reduce vehicle trips and vehicle emissions more efficiently and cost-effectively than major roadway improvements; (c) For many years prior to the passage of Measure C, local jurisdictions developed and implemented a variety of projects and programs, e.g., operation of transit systems, construction of bicycle facilities, land use policy coordination and related improvements; (d) Since 1992, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority has committed both Measure C and Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) funds to four Subarea programs, for the implementation of Measure C and Clean Air Plan goals; (e) The Countywide Comprehensive Transportation Plan iI~c0rpora[e~ egc..h_ Regional Committee's Action Plan for Routes of Regional Significance, which support specific TSM goals and objectives; (f) Over the past four years, the subarea, TSM.,programs havebeen successful in reducing vehicle' trips and emissions at' the employment sites specified in-the TSM ordinance, as well as in school and residential~aeeas where programs~ have been implemented; Ordinance No. 301 (g) In adopting this Ordinance cooperation and coordination with other local jurisdictions and regions in TSM are acknowledged as having the potential to enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of its efforts; accordingly the Council directs staff to take steps to implement TSM in accordance with the policies, goals and objectives set forth herein. SectiOn 2. Chapter VII comprising Sections B8-101 through B8-120 of Division B-8 of the Municipal Code is repealed. - Section 3. Chapter VI comprising Sections B8-101 and B8-102 are added to Division B-8 of the Municipal Code to read: Chapter VI Transportation System Management Section B8-101. Purpose, Goals and Objectives In light of'state law prohibiting mandatory employer-based trip reduction requirements, the following purposes, goals and objectives are adopted. A. Purpose: 1. To promote maximum efficiency in the existing transportation system and to further the transportation goals of the Measure C Growth Management Program, Contra Costa's Congestion Management Program and the Bay Area Clean Air Plan by: (a) Promoting and encouraging the use of transit, ridesharing, bicycling, walking, flexible work hours and telecommuting as alternatives to solo driving; -2- Ordinance No. 301 (c) (d) (e) (fl (g) (h) Incorporating these goals and objectives into the land use review and planning process; Developing proactive programs and/or projects either alone or in conjunction with other jurisdictions, aimed at achieving these goals; Considering the incorporation of appropriate technology designed to facilitate traffic flow, provide transit and highway information, provide trip generation alternatives, and related technology into the transportation system; Educating San Ramon employees, employers, residents and students regarding the benefits and availability of commute alternatives; Working with the transit authorities to better serve San Ramon; Encouraging the most cost-effective broad based and wide range of transportation improvement projects aimed at achieving congestion relief; Cooperating with other jurisdictions, the private sector, and transit operators in planning and implementing transportation programs. To reflect an ongoing commitment to expand TSM efforts beyond employer-based trip reduction programs, in order to achieve traffic congestion management and air quality goals. To comply with applicable state and federal laws as well as with Measure C Growth Management Program requirements pertaining to TSM. -3- Ordinance No. 301 B. Goals: The goal of this ordinance is to ensure the continuation of a proactive, but voluntary, TSM program effort aimed at reducing vehicle trips, vehicle emissions and traffic congestion in the most cost effective maimer. Ce Objective: The objective of this section is to establish the following policies: 1. To participate, in conjunction with other jurisdictions, in a proactive effort to support and develop projects which will achieve the Measure C TSM goals as described in the San Ramon'Action Plan, the Countywide Comprehensive Transportation Plan, the Measure C Strategic Plan, the Congestion Management Plan and/or the Bay Area Clean Air Plan. Such participation may include, but need not be limited to: (a) Promotion and encouragement of the use of transit, ridesharing, bicycling, walking, flexible work hours, telecommuting or other alternatives to solo driving; (b) Project incorporation appropriate technology designed to facilitate traffic flow, provide transit highway information and related technology. To incorporate these objectives, as appropriate, into the City land use review and planning process. -4- Ordinance No. 301 Section B8-102 TSM AdviSory Committee. The San Ramon TSM Advisory Committee is established to provide a unique opportunity for the private/public sector to work together toward reducing traffic congestion and achieving cleaner air for its business community, residents and schools. (a) Composition. The TSM Advisory Committee shall be composed of the following: 1. One (1) representative of the Transportation Committee of the City Council (non-voting member); 2. The San Ramon Transportation Analyst; 3. Five members appointed by the City Council, each representing an employer or complex. Co) (c) Term and Termination of Office. The term of office for each member shall be two (2) calendar years, or portion thereof, ending on December 31 of the second year. Members may be reappointed for consecutive terms. Termination of office shall be according to by-laws developed by the TSM Advisory Committee and approved by the City Council. Meetings. As a part of its by-laws, the TSM Advisory Committee shall establish regularly scheduled dates and times for its meeting, and shall promulgate rules for the conduct of this meeting including attendance requirements. -5- Ordinance No. 301 (d) Function, The TSM Advisory Committee may develop and recommend programs to coordinate and implement the City-wide Voluntary Employer Based Trip Reduction effort. (1) The TDM Advisory Committee shall develop programs'and make recommendations to: a. Coordinate TSM efforts of all employers and complexes in the City of San Ramon; b. Coordinate TSM efforts with local and regional agencies as designated by the City; c. Seek the cooperation and assistance of neighboring communities in achieving TSM goals. (2) The TDM Advisory Committee may make recommendations on other activities which may include, but not limited to, the following: a. Encourage and promote ali transit services betWeen the complexes, downtown and the transit stops; b. Compile, distribute and annually update Ridesharing materials; c. Plan any TSM Program element; and, d. Improvements in City services and facilities to assist employers in meeting the goals of this voluntary TSM Ordinance. -6- Ordinance No. 301 /5 Section 4. If any subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance is for any reason held by a court of competent jurisdiction to- be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase hereof irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses or phrases are held invalid. Section 5. This Ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days from the date of its passage. Before the expiration of fifteen (15) days after its passage, this Ordinance shall be posted in three public places within the City of San Ramon along with the names of the members of the City Council voting for and against same. -7- Ordinance No. 301 The foregoing Ordinance was introduced at the meeting of the City Council on June 9, 1998 and after public hearing was adopted at the meeting of the City Council of the City of San Ramon on June 23, 1998 by the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers Athan, Hudson, Kinney, Raab and Mayor Welm NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None Hermann Welm, Mayor ATTEST: g\transp/res/tsmord.rev -8-