About Best Workplaces for Commuters^SM

• As of June 30, 2006 1,600 U.S. worksites covering 3,400,000 employees earned the Best Workplaces for Commuters^SM designation, including:
  • 22 BWC Districts covering 967,000 employers
  • 269 FORTUNE 500 worksites covering 629,000 employees
  • 312 BWC Network members
  • Primary commuter benefit breakdown (by worksite and employees covered*):
    • Transit subsidy: 1,265 worksites; 2.1 million employees
    • Vanpool subsidy: 268 worksites; 987,683 employees
    • Telework: 246 worksites; 354,445 employees
    • Parking Cash-out: 42 worksites; 33,116 employees
    • Other: 109 worksites; 734,139 employees

*Note: Many worksites offer more than one primary benefit. These worksites and their employees are counted for each primary offered. Consequently,
the percentages may add to more than 100%.

• Key Accomplishments — 2005
  • The number of participating employers grew by more than 25%
  • The number of employees covered by qualifying benefits grew by more than 40%
  • Participating employers saved 389 million gallons of fuel and 3.4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) cumulatively from 2001 - 2005.
  • The three million commuters working for Best Workplaces for Commuters qualified employers are annually saving the equivalent of any of the following:
    • Providing over 200,000 households with electricity for one year
    • Growing over 40 million tree seedlings over a ten year period
    • 1.3 million acres of pine or fir forests storing carbon for one year
    • Almost 13,000 acres of forest preserved from deforestation
    • Over 65 million propane cylinders used for home barbeques
    • Close to 8,000 railcars of coal burned
    • Over 525,000 tons of waste recycled instead of land-filled
  • The number of participating FORTUNE 500 worksites grew by 50%
    
• The BWC Network was established in 2004 and boasts more than 300 members that support and work toward the goal of reducing drive-alone commuting.

Travel Facts

• In 2004, cars and light trucks traveled 2.7 trillion miles – almost triple the vehicle miles traveled since 1970 (FHWA Highway Statistics 2004)
• In the United States, 78% of all trips to and from work are in single passenger vehicles (2000 Census)
• 27% of total vehicle miles traveled are to and from work, equivalent to 734 billion miles (National Household Transportation Survey, 2001)
• In 2002, cars and light trucks consumed 8.5 million barrels of crude oil per day, 42.5% of U.S. total consumption (U.S. Department of Energy)
• Vehicular gasoline consumption accounts for 20% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions (U.S. Department of Energy)
• A typical household spends 18% of its income in driving costs – more than it spends on food (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
• Between 2002 and 2012, vehicle miles traveled by drive alone commuters will increase by at least 15% - generating an additional 43 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂ ) annually
  (Bureau of Labor Statistics and Environmental Protection Agency calculations – Note: EPA calculations based only upon projected increase in U.S. labor force from 131 million to 153 million and does not take into account the possibility that drive alone trips or trip lengths might increase)

Congestion in America Highlights from Texas Transportation Institute 2005 Urban Mobility Study

• Congestion costs $63.1 billion per year
• The annual delay per rush hour (peak period) traveler, has grown from 16 hours to 47 hours since 1982
• “Rush hour” now lasts six to seven hours a day
• The number of urban areas with more than 20 hours of annual delay per peak traveler has grown from 5 in 1982 to 51 in 2003
• Commuters waste 2.3 billion gallons of fuel simply from idling in traffic jams

GfK Automotive National Survey Findings on Attitudes and Behaviors

• Commute considerations are important in driving workplace decision-making

A majority (85%) of commuters surveyed reported commute consideration as “Important” in determining where they work or look for work, with the largest proportion reporting such considerations as “Very Important”. Less than one in five (15%) deems such commute considerations as “Not at All Important”.

• There is broad positive association attributed to the concept of commuter benefits

A majority (68%) of commuters reported a positive attitudinal shift upon awareness of employers offering commuter benefits to employees.

• A majority of U.S. commuters report anticipated behavior changes in commute choices should their employer begin offering commuter benefits

Should the opportunity exist, the largest proportion (25%) of commuters anticipate using commuter benefits at least three times a week, while others predict taking advantage of commuter benefits one to two times each week (15%), or a few times per month (15%).

• The U.S. workforce is interested in working for an employer that offers commuter benefits

A majority of commuters (57%) expressed interest in working for an employer that offers a commuter benefits program.

• There is strong overall agreement that employers offering commuter benefits demonstrate environmental leadership

A majority of commuters (81%) agree that offering commuter benefits demonstrates environmental leadership, due to reduced traffic congestion, air pollution and energy savings.

• The recent elevation in gas prices has impacted the attitudes and behaviors of commuters

Half report either considering changing jobs to reduce their commute (12%), or behavioral changes (i.e. seeking carpooling opportunities, use of mass transit, etc.) to limit their commute (39%). The remainder of commuters across the U.S. report no changes in commuting behavior as a result of increased gas prices.

Review the full study of Best Workplaces for Commuters National Benefits and Related Facts (127K PDF). Last updated October, 2006