Innovative Program Aims to Reduce Traffic Headaches

Initiative offers ideas for commuters across the country

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Nov. 14 -- Looking for a way to curb traffic congestion, reduce air pollution and save money?

Faced with unpredictable gas prices, an influx of new residents and worsening traffic jams, the Triangle region of North Carolina (Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill) is like many areas across the country.

But here, residents are fed up. Now they've taken matters into their own hands by joining with businesses and government organizations to take action on a local level. The result? A nationally award-winning public awareness campaign, recognized for its success by the Association for Commuter Transportation and the American Public Transportation Association.

The SmartCommute Challenge, managed by three organizations -- SmartCommute@rtp, Triangle Transit Authority and Triangle Air Awareness -- challenges commuters to get to work for just one day without using their car. The program is designed to help first-timers navigate alternative transportation options, and provides tips including how to pitch your boss on telecommuting and establish a vanpool.

"The Triangle area is growing by the minute, and as a result, we are faced with more road congestion," said Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker. "We are proud to see more citizens seeking commute alternatives each year. This positively impacts air pollution levels and helps to ease traffic problems -- two factors that contribute to our quality of life."

Record results were announced recently for the 2006 SmartCommute Challenge. 12,780 Triangle-area commuters signed a pledge to try alternative means of transportation to work or school -- an increase of six percent compared to 2005, despite lower gas prices this year than during the same period last year.

"Program participation eliminated 2.3 million commuter miles in the Triangle and saved more than 110,000 gallons of gas," said Julie Woosley, marketing coordinator for Triangle Transit Authority.

According to the American Public Transportation Association, the nation can reduce fuel consumption by 2.7 million gallons if 10,000 commuters leave their cars and use public transit for one year.

In addition to reducing area traffic, the program has brought successes ranging from increased productivity from employees who started teleworking, to health benefits including weight loss and stress reduction.

The SmartCommute Challenge will hold a final celebration as part of a larger regional transportation and air quality event on November 15. For more information, visit smartcommunte.org.