commuter challenge events: measuring & rewarding success
Post on 13-Sep-2014
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This presentation was given by Paula Sakofs of MetroPool, Katrina Bayer of H-GAC and Rick Steele of NuRide at the ACT International Conference in Indian Wells, CA on August 30, 2010TRANSCRIPT
Commuter Challenge Events :
Measuring & Rewarding Success
ACT International Conference
Indian Wells, CA
Aug 30, 2010
Rick Steele
NuRide, Inc.Paula Sakofs
MetroPool, Inc.
Katrina Bayer
Houston-Galveston Area Council
With specified (1) modes (2) start date (3) end date and (4) measurable goals
A Commuter Challenge Event is a “Race”
Specify goals
Measuring Goals Requires Automated Processes & Incentives
Provide automated method to
collect data
Provide incentive to record data
Recognize winners!
Earth Day Commuter Challenge Race to the Finish in NY & CT
Paula SakofsMetroPool, Inc.
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About MetroPool, Inc.
• Award-winning non-profit commuter services company
• Serving New York and Connecticut commuters for 30 years
• New York– Provide services in Hudson Valley (six counties – Westchester, Rockland,
Orange, Dutchess, Putnam and Ulster)
– Funded by New York State Department of Transportation
• Connecticut– Provide services in Fairfield County
– Funded by Connecticut Department of Transportation
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Earth Day Race to the Finish
• Tri-State 5,000,000 Rideshare Challenge– Goal: reduce 5 million miles of driving in NY and CT
– Mode: ridesharing
– Launch date: April 2007
– Method: ridesharing trips recorded on NuRide
– Promotion: launched by Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell
• Earth Day Race to the Finish– Modified event in January 2008 to achieve 5 million mile goal by Earth Day
– Developed races for employers at www.earthdaycommuterchallenge.com
– Developed races so that smaller companies can also win (participation rate)
– Results updated every day automatically be user entered data
– Develop marketing toolkit with logo, emails, articles and flyers
7www.earthdaycommuterchallenge.com
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Success!
• Exceeded the 5 million mile goal!
• Engaged over 10,000 commuters and 1,500 companies
• Received important government and media exposure (TV, print, etc.)
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So Popular it’s Now an Annual Event!
• Peapod sponsored event in ‘09 & ‘10 with weekly prizes of $100
• Added support for all modes in ‘09 (bike, walk, transit, telecommute)
• Promoted events on Facebook and Twitter in ‘10
• Added photos of all winners ‘10
• Results continued to increase every year across all categories!
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2009 2010
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Continued Success in 2009 & 2010
Results 2009 2010 % increase
Commuters 12,756 15,359 20%
Companies 1,859 2,068 11%
Reduced car trips 223,331 338,255 51%
Reduced VMT 6,229,518 9,386,854 51%
Reduced tons emissions 2,740 4,190 53%
Gallons of gas saved 281,887 432,898 54%
H-E-B 15,000,000 Mile Commuter Challenge
Katrina BayerHouston-Galveston Area Council
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About H-GAC / Commute Solutions
• The Houston-Galveston Area Council is the Council of Government
for thirteen counties and the Metropolitan Planning Organization for
the eight county Houston-Galveston-Brazoria nonattainment region
• The area served by the MPO has over 5 million residents
• H-GAC’s Commute Solutions Program– “One-stop” alternative transportation resource for commuters and businesses
– Vanpool program
– NuRide
– Commuter & transit pilot projects
– Commuter champion / clean air champion programs
– Telework program
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H-E-B 15 Million Mile Commuter Challenge
• Goal: reduce 15 million miles of driving in Houston-Galveston area
• Modes: walk, bike, telecommute, carpool, vanpool, public transit
• Launch date: January 2008
• Method: alternative commute trips recorded on NuRide web site
• Promotion: launched by Houston Mayor & Harris County Judge
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H-E-B Sponsorship Was Very Valuable
• The largest independent grocer in Texas with hundreds of locations
• Provided participants with $5 off groceries every week
• Provided $1,000 in groceries for seven of the “million mile
milestone” prize winners
• Provided free groceries for a year to grand prize winner
• During the challenge H-E-B provided over $80,000 in grocery rewards
Supported by over 75 other Sponsors
17www.hebcommuterchallenge.com
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Outstanding Results
• Exceeded the 15 million mile goal (22 million total!)
• Engaged 14,000 commuters
• Received important government and media exposure (TV, print, etc.)
• Commuters earn $345,345 in rewards all paid for by sponsors
• Sponsored rewards count towards CMAQ local match
• Sponsors continue to offer rewards after event concluded!
14,000 commuters
$345,000 in rewards
CMAQmatch
Lessons Learned
Rick SteeleNuRide, Inc.
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Other Commuter Challenge Events
“Moo’v to a Greener Commute”
Free spicy chicken sandwiches
“Groceries for Going Green”
$5 off & weekly $100 winners
“Kick Off Your Commute”
$10 off & weekly $100 winners
“Burrito Bucks Month”
Free burritos for referring friends
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Lessons Learned
• Real results matter
• Results need to be recorded
• Commuters will record their activity if given ongoing incentives
• Periodic prizes add excitement but don’t replace ongoing incentives
• Sponsors will provide incentives at no cost to you!
• Sponsored incentives can count toward local CMAQ match
For more information visit:
www.nuride.com/events
Rick Steele
NuRide, Inc.Paula Sakofs
MetroPool, Inc.
Katrina Bayer
Houston-Galveston Area Council