Steven Vance, Ron Schramm
Helping Employers Provide Workers with Better Commutes
Traffic congestion costs the Chicago region $7.3 billion dollars annually in wasted time for motorists and passengers, inreased air pollution, and reduced regional economic health. People and businesses alike suffer when stressed and frustrated employees affect an employer’s bottom line. Through the pilot Commute Options program, in partnership with the Civic Consulting Alliance, MPC is working with local employers to survey their employees about their commuting patterns and design programs that give employees commute alternatives other than driving alone. The program’s long-term goals include improving employee satisfaction, retention, and morale; reducing absenteeism; increasing productivity; and reducing operating costs. After an organization’s Commute Options program is underway, MPC will conduct a cost-free evaluation on the program’s fiscal and environmental impacts.
Articles
Senate releases MAP-21 transportation bill proposal-
- Chrissy Nichols co-authored this article.
Late last Friday, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) released Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), which is the Senate highway portion of the next federal surface transportation bill. While we’re still a long…
- Demographics as Destiny
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- By Guest Author
- Sep 3, 2011
- For Release Saturday, September 3, 2011 Citiwire.net
Tom Downs is chairman of the North American Board of Veolia Transportation and a former president of Amtrak. His e-mail is tmdowns1@aol.com.
The new demographics are found in two generations deeply influenced by suburbia. First there’s…
New Commute Options program will help employees adopt greener commutes-
- Traffic jams. Wear-and-tear. Road rage. Unpredictable travel times. Climbing gas prices. Stress.
Sound familiar? If so, it’s a safe bet you are among 71 percent of Chicago-area workers who drive alone to work each day. A new pilot program in metropolitan Chicago—led by the Metropolitan…
- MPC Position Statements
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- To advance the Metropolitan Planning Council’s (MPC) goal of creating a more sustainable, equitable, and competitive Chicago region, MPC takes official positions on a broad range of federal, state and local policies and issues.
Recent positions
Letter to U.S. Sen Harry Reid and Sen Mitch…
New employer incentives available to help workers 'go green'-
- MPC hiring for a new position that will guide these programs
The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning and stakeholders advancing the Chicago Climate Action Plan are bringing new incentives to the table for both City of Chicago and regional employers to help their employees make more…
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Multimedia
2012 Plan for Prosperity: Innovative Solutions for the New Normal-
- Publication
- (1 MB)
- Jan 12, 2012
- To read MPC's 2012 Plan for Prosperity, download the file. The following is MPC President MarySue Barrett's introductory letter.
Sometimes, things aren’t what they seem. For decades, the United States enjoyed what appeared to be boundless economic expansion. Consumers spent and borrowed…
Better Commutes, Less Congestion: Employers Unlock the Region's Gridlock-
- On Dec. 1, 2011, MPC hosted Better Commutes, Less Congestion: Employers Unlock the Region's Gridlock, a roundtable discussion of the Commute Options pilot program. Jeffrey Rehm of W.W. Grainger described that company's success in encouraging employees to switch from driving to taking transit by…
- Alternative Avenues: How Livable Communities Promote Health and Wellness
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- Listen to this Nov. 3, 2010, MPC roundtable forum about the effects of community and workplace design on public health, sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois.
- How much would you pay for a quicker commute?
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- Watch this news segment from WGN-TV Channel 9 on MPC's congestion pricing report, which aired July 14, 2010.
Talking the Walk: The Importance of Pedestrian Friendly Public Spaces-
- Listen to MPC's April 21, 2010, "Talking the Walk" roundtable, featuring Sam Schwartz, Mike Toolis, and John Tolva discuss how cities around the world are promoting walkable, safe streets; what Chicago is doing to plan for and design quality streetscapes; and how pedestrians are leading the way to…
More related multimedia »
Links
- Civic Consulting Alliance
- Civic Consulting Alliance is a partnership that reshapes how Chicago works, by building pro bono teams of business experts, government leaders, and its own staff that figure out workable and enduring ways to make our city more livable, affordable, and globally competitive. MPC is working with Civic Consulting Alliance to advance the Chicago Climate Action Plan through the Commute Options program. More info »
- Chicago Climate Action Plan
- Commute Options was inspired by the Chicago Climate Action Plan, which outlines five strategies and 35 actions to reach Chicago's goal of a 25 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2020, and 80 percent reduction from 1990 levels by 2050. More info »
More related links »
Collaborators
Funder
Civic Consulting Alliance
Partners
City of Chicago
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
Metropolitan Mayors Caucus
Compass Strategy
Regional Transportation Authority
Pace
Chicago Transit Authority
Metra
Center for Neighborhood Technology
Active Transportation Alliance
Chicago Climate Action Plan
Clean Air Counts
Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
