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Commute Trip Reduction
The City of Seattle and SDOT encourage all commuters to use alternatives to driving alone to work. People who ride the bus, carpool, vanpool, or bike or walk to work, or even use telework arrangements, enjoy additional benefits from these modes. They also help to stem further air quality deterioration, reduce energy use, and put the brakes on traffic congestion in the Puget Sound area.
Commute Trip Reduction Law
CTR Information Distribution Requirements
CTR Related Links and Contact Info
Commute Trip Reduction Law
In 1991, the Washington State Legislature passed the Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) Law requiring employers to work with employees to reduce the number and length of drive-alone commute trips made to the worksite.
Here are the answers to the questions most often asked about the CTR Law.
Why did the State pass the law?
The CTR Law (RCW 70.94.524 - 551) was adopted in 1991 as part of the Washington Clean Air Act. The purpose of the law is to reduce air pollution, traffic congestion and energy consumption. Motor vehicles generate more than 50 percent of all air pollution in Washington - 370,000 tons of carbon monoxide in King County alone in 1988.
What does the law require?
The law requires major employers to develop and implement a commute trip reduction program. The program must be designed to meet the commute trip reduction goals set for the employer's commute trip reduction zone. The employer must submit an annual employer program report to the local jurisdiction for review and approval. Every two years, the employer must conduct an employee commute survey or supply equivalent data showing their progress toward the commute trip reduction goals. If the employer does not meet the reduction goals, the jurisdiction can require the employer to modify its program.
What is a major employer?
A major employer is a public or private employer that employs 100 or more full-time employees at a single worksite who are scheduled to begin their regular workday between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., on two or more week days each week, for at least 12 continuous months or 52 continuous weeks. A full-time employee is one who is scheduled to work an average of at least 35 hours per week.
What is a commute trip reduction program?
A commute trip reduction program consists of the actions an employer will take to encourage employees to reduce the number and length of their drive-alone commute trips. Actions must include: appointing an employee transportation coordinator (ETC) and posting their name, phone and location; distributing information to employees about the commute trip reduction program and about alternative commute options; implementing incentives to encourage employees to do something other than drive alone. These incentives may include (but aren't limited to) providing reserved parking spaces for carpools and vanpools, subsidizing transit fares, allowing employees to work a compressed work week schedule or telecommute, and providing secured bicycle storage for bicyclists.
What are the commute trip reduction goals?
The 1991 CTR Law established the following commute trips reduction goals:
15% by 1995 (or within two years of becoming affected by law)
25% by 1997 (or within four years of becoming affected by law)
35% by 1999 (or within six years of becoming affected by law)
In 1996, the CTR Law was reviewed by CTR-Law affected employers throughout the state. Based on their input and feedback, a number of revisions were made to the Law, one of which was the revision of CTR goals. On July 28, 1997, the goals of the CTR Law were revised to the following:
15% by 1995 (or within two years of becoming affected by law)
20% by 1997 (or within four years of becoming affected by law)
25% by 1999 (or within six years of becoming affected by law)
35% by 2005 (or within twelve years of becoming affected by law)
What are the commute trip reduction zones?
A zone is a geographic area that has similar transit service, parking availability, parking charges, access to High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes and other factors that affect the level of drive-alone commuting. An average drive-alone commute rate has been calculated for each zone based on census data. An employer's progress toward the commute trip reduction goals is measured against the zone average drive-alone commute trips.
What is an annual employer program report?
Employers are required to submit to the local jurisdiction a short written report that describes the actions it has taken and the progress of its program during the preceding year and the actions it will take in the coming year.
What is an employee commute survey?
In the goal measurement years employers will be asked to conduct surveys to determine the commuting habits of its employees. The State will provide the survey form and calculate the results. The ETC will distribute and collect the surveys. The jurisdictions require a 70% minimum response rate from employees on the survey. In lieu of the survey, employers can provide equivalent data from other records or surveys.
What if an employer does nothing at all?
If an employer does not appoint an ETC, distribute information, implement a program or modify a program as required, then the jurisdiction can levy a civil penalty. An employer will not be penalized for not meeting the goals. Penalties in Seattle are $250 per violation per day.
Seattle Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) Information Distribution Requirements
The following guidelines describe the minimum information distribution requirements:
- Worksite program summary information to all employees: To satisfy program summary information requirements and satisfy completion of program implementation, an employer must demonstrate that they have distributed:
- Two written pieces every year that summarize all the approved program elements in your CTR program. One summary must be distributed to all affected employees within 60 days of program approval. The second piece must be distributed before your next report due date. In lieu of the distribution of a written program, your company could choose to distribute information electronically. Should you decide to use this method, please maintain a printed sample of this information in your files.
- Information about any new element to all affected employees as it is introduced.
- Provide information to employees at the time of hire: New employees must receive the written general program information piece at the time of hire.
CTR Related Links:
King County Commute Trip Reduction Programs
WSDOT Commute Trip Reduction Law - Ord. 119056
WSDOT Commute Trip Reduction Resources
RideshareOnline.com
Regional Transportation Links
Carpool Parking in Downtown Seattle
Commuter Challenge
If you have any questions about Commute Trip Reduction in the city of Seattle, contact Kathy Anderson at kathy.anderson@seattle.gov.
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