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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 11141995 - C59 Y Contra TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Costa County FROM: TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE DATE: November 6, 1995 SUBJECT: Annual TDM Report for Pleasant Hill BART Station Area SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATION Accept the Annual Report of the Pleasant Hill BART Station Area Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Program for 1994-95. FISCAL IMPACT None to County general funds. The Pleasant Hill BART Station Area TDM Program is funded by developer fees. BACKGROUND/REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS The County has required a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program for the Pleasant Hill BART station .area since 1986, as a condition of development approval as well as by ordinance. This program is intended to encourage the use of alternative modes of transportation by employees in order to mitigate the traffic impacts resulting from the develoment of the area. The Contra Costa Centre Association, which was formed by area developers to jointly implement the TDM program, has submitted its annual report for 1994-95 (see Exhibit A). The report indicates that the use of commute alternatives has remained constant at about 33% CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X YES SIGNATURE _ RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR X RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE _ APPROVE OTHER lift, lm4k�� SIGNATURE(S): ef Smith Tom Torlakson ACTION OF BOARD ON it _ 1195 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS / I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A ✓ UNANIMOUS (ABSENT TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN AYES: NOES: ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED ON THE ABSENT: ABSTAIN: MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. Orig Dept: Community Development ATTESTED (. Contact: Ernest Vovakis, 646-2355 PHIL BATCHELOR, CLERK F cc: Contra Costa Centre Association THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS (via CDD) AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR Jim Kennedy, Redev. Agency BY d, DEPUTY Annual Report for Pleasant Hill BART November 6, 1995 Page 2 while the employment population of the area has increased from about 2,000 employees to 2,634. The following is a comparison of the commute mode of station area employees between 1991 and 1995. Mode 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 Drive Alone 70% 73% 71 % 67% 67% Carpool 13% 11 % 10% 13% 13% Transit 11 % 11 % 8% 10% 9% Vanpool 4% 2% 3% 2% 2% Bicycle/walk/other 2% 4% 8% 8% 9% These results are based on actual survey results, not adjusted for response rate, which was 31 %. The Bay Area Air Quality District's Regulation 13 sets as a performance objective for 1995 a vehicle to employee ratio (VER) of 0.83. The Centre Associations survey results indicate a "raw" VER of 0.75, which exceeds this standard. However, the Air District's Trip Reduction Rule imposes a penalty for response rates under 60% by assuming that all non-respondants drive alone to work. When this penalty is applied, the Centre Association's adjusted VER is 0.91 . The survey indicates employees are commuting longer distances. The average one-way commute distance in 1995 was 18.7 miles, an increase from last year's 18.2 miles and 1993's 16.1 miles. 37% of the employees are now commuting in excess of 20 miles each way. However, the drive-alone rate of the 20+ mile commuters is 57.5% reflecting a downward trend for this group. During the past year, the Centre Association continued operation of its vanpool program, with 8 vans in operation; a noontime shuttle service to nearby commercial areas; a guaranteed ride home program; and a carpool program. In addition, the Association has obtained a $75,000 matching grant from Caltrans to provide an on-site kiosk for sale of transit tickets, These innovation programs have been instrumental in achieving the results described above. Senate Bill 437, passed by the Legislature in September, prohibits local agencies and air districts from requiring employer-based trip reduction programs unless they are required by federal law. This bill has thus invalidated both the BAAQMD's Regulation 13 and the County's Ordinance 94-27. It is not presently clear whether the bill also impacts conditions of approval imposed by local jurisdictions on development. Opinion differs on this issue and County Counsel will be requested to review this question. In view of this uncertainty, the TDM program at the Pleasant Hill BART station area has been extended to January 1 , 1996, the effective date of SB 4371 by a previous action of the Board. 1350 Treat Boulevard Suite 180 Walnut Creek CA 94596 FAX 5101935.1407 5101935.6337 EXHIBIT A 1 ' 1 Contra Costa Centre Association Transportation Demand Management Program 1994-95 Annual Report The past year has been one of discovery and changes for the Transportation Demand Management Program at the Contra Costa Centre Association. The discovery came in the form of reaching out further to the employees at the business park and meeting a broader base of commute alternative needs. The changes came about with the completion of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and Delegated Areas Employer Trip Reduction Plan guidelines. The implementation of the Employer Trip Reduction Plans gave the Contra Costa Centre the opportunity to design a plan under approved format and coordination with other regional plans. The Contra Costa Centre TDM Program is governed by the Employer Trip Reduction Plan as a part of the Contra Costa County TDM Ordinance No. 94-27. The following is a list of the elements of the ordinance: (a)To improve ambient air quality by reducing air pollutant emissions that result from vehicle commute trips to work sites with one hundred or more employees located within the County of Contra Costa; (b)To promote and encourage the use of alternatives to commuting by single occupant vehicle among Contra Costa County resident and individuals working in the County of v Contra Costa-, (c)To support local and regional efforts to relieve traffic congestion in and around the County of Contra Costa, thereby reducing noise, pollution and energy consumption; (d)To facilitate local implementation of Regulation 13 of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. (e)To implement the requirement of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority that employment complexes with 100 or more employees develop trip reduction programs. The 1994-95 Contra Costa Centre TDM Program was designed using; the ordinance guidelines as the frame work for the program A Report of the Year's Activities Annual Commute Survey The annual commute survey provides information for the planning of the next year's TDM activities. The survey is designed and conducted under strict guidelines as required by the Trip Reduction Ordinance and the BAAQMD. The survey measures the Vehicle Employee Ratio (VER) and provides valuable information from the employees for the planning of the next year's activities. The 1995 Commute Survey was conducted during the week of May 15, 1994. The 1995 Commute Survey results indicated that the raw data Vehicle Employee Ratio (VER) was .75, however, due to a lower than average survey response rate, the actual adjusted VER rate is .91. The Contra Costa County and BAAQMD target VER goal for 1995 is .83. While the adjusted rate did not meet this goal, the actual raw data far exceeded the goal. The drive-alone rate, for the second year remained stable at 67%. Thirty-three percent (33%) of the commuters who answered the survey are using a commute alternative to the single occupant vehicle. This year the survey asked specific questions about Telecommute days off, and Compressed Work Week. In the telecommute mode, 4% of the employees at the Contra Costa Centre utilize this option. The Compressed Work Week question indicated a rate of 4% of the employees who were able to adjust work hours so that they were able to take advantage of working alternative schedules and thereby reducing the daily commute. The Program Elements During 1995 Contra Costa Centre TDM Program added another element to the services offered to the employees and employers at the Contra Costa Centre, the elements of the program are: Vanpool Program - Eight vans provide the long distance commute mode for eighty-eight employees from areas which are not yet served by BART or other transit services. Each van reduces the need for ten individuals to drive their vehicle to work. The eight vans from the Contra Costa Centre remove eighty cars from the road each day. Close attention is paid to the maintenance and safety of the vanpools. Carpool Program - The carpool program at the Contra Costa Centre is informal and can provide an instant commute option to employees. Two to five employees can form a carpool with minimal rules and requirements. This year over 13% of the employees at the Contra Costa Centre indicated that this was their preferred commute mode. The TDM staff keeps a log of employees who are interested in forming a carpool, the log is a valuable tool for potential matches. At this time approximately 275 carpools are registered with the Contra Costa Centre, members of the carpool receive the benefit of the Guaranteed Ride Home Program and are able to use the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes which are increasing in number with the completion of highway construction in the Bay Area. Guaranteed Ride Home Program (GRH) -For the fifth year, the GRH Program is one of the most successful programs in place at the Contra Costa Centre. This program provides a ride home for any registered van or carpool member in the event of illness, personal or family emergency The service provides a"safety net" to those who choose to utilize a commute alternative. The annual commute survey has indicated that many employees have been reluctant to use a commute alternative due to the potential of an emergency, the GRH Program has addressed this issue with great success. The GRH Program is an invaluable incentive to van and carpooling Mid-Day Shuttle - The shuttles offer employees at the Contra Costa Centre transportation for lunch-time shopping trips, and convent service to local athletic clubs for a mid-day work out. This service is utilized by approximately 40 passengers on the average day. A marked increase of use is noted during the holidays. The Mid-Day Shuttle continues to gain a loyal ridership. Annual Transportation and Resource Fairs - For the past five years the TDM Program has hosted a series of Transportation and Resource Fairs to bring the transportation alternative and personal interest vendors to the employee worksite. With the "California life style" in mind, the resource vendors have included Earthquake Awareness programs and products, Fire Safety for home and office, and Child Care options surrounding the Contra Costa Centre Business Park. We invite the local transit agencies to participate in the events and thereby provide the employees with a one-to-one setting to help with planning for the use of a commute alternative. The Transportation and Resource Fairs provide a perfect opportunity to remind employees of the commute options available to them and to highlight the upcoming Commute Survey. On-Site Transit Ticket Sales Program With the help of a $75,000.00 matching grant from Caltrans, the Contra Costa Centre has been able to provide a ticket "Kiosk" to sell high-volume Transit Tickets to the employees at the Contra Costa Centre. The program also offers a$35.00 per month transportation incentive to people who use a commute alternative through the I680/24 Interchange. The Kiosk is open two days per week for three hours each day to provide employees with the opportunity to purchase transit tickets. Supporting Local and Regional TDM Programs A requirement of the TDM Ordinance is that the Contra Costa Centre support local and regional efforts to relieve traffic congestion around the county and thereby reduce noise, pollution and energy consumption. The Contra Costa Centre TDM staff has found that participation with the local and regional planning bodies has been most beneficial in terms of planning promotional events, providing economies of scale when ordering promotional materials, and in general keeping current of the ever changing rules and regulations which govern employers in the Bay Area. The network has also provided information for funding opportunities as they become available. Communication, support and cooperation with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District has proved to be beneficial in the process to design rules and regulations which affect the Contra Costa Centre and the County of Contra Costa. The following list is some of the Committees and Organizations with which the TDM Staff has direct participation: Association for Commuter Transportation Transportation Demand Management Coordinating Committee (Contra Costa County) I680/24 Technical Advisory Committee BAAQMD Core Advisory Committee (Business and TMA Participants) Financial Status The Contra Costa Centre TDM Program is funded through the Contra Costa County Pleasant Hill BART Station Area Assessment District funds. Developers and property owners were required to pay Assessment District fees of$.50 per square foot of approved building space, these funds were earmarked to provide a Transportation Demand Management program at the Pleasant Hill BART station area. In an effort to increase the life of the TDM funds, the Contra Costa Centre staff is continually looking for grants or matching funds for special projects such as the transportation incentive and pass sales program. The Contra Costa Centre TDM program operates on a Federal Fiscal calendar(October 1 to September 30). The budget request to the Contra Costa County Assessment District for the 1994-95 fiscal year was $333,351.00 to operate the TDM Program. As of the third quarter of the budget year the percentage of funds expended was 54%. A Look Ahead The Contra Costa Centre TDM Staff is excited about the challenges facing the program in the next year. The BAAQMD conducted an audit of the TDM Program at the Contra Costa Centre. The audit found that the program is being implemented and administered in a competent and conscientious fashion. The BAAQMD did recommend that the TDM Program take action to more directly involve the employers at the Contra Costa Centre in the promotion and delivery of the measures contained in the Employer Trip Reduction Plan for the Contra Costa Centre. During the next year the TDM Program will continue to promote the successful programs which form the base of services at the business park, including: Vanpool and Carpool Programs Guaranteed Ride Home Mid-Day Shuttle Annual Transportation and Resource Fairs Sale of Transit Passes at the Work Site Relocation Awareness Campaign Employer Involvement Campaign Telecommunication Informational and Promotion Program In Closing The next year will bring challenges and opportunities to the TDM Staff at the Contra Costa Centre. The possible elimination of Employer Based Trip Reduction programs in the State of California will offer challenges to the continued support and success of the program.