TDM
Marketing - Proximate Commute Assistance
A. Project Objective
Providing materials and guidance to
enable TDM agencies to market proximate commuting to employers as a commute
option was one of the highest rated potential activities to conduct for TDM
agencies, based on the results of the TDM summit meeting held in December of
1999. The purpose of this project
is to allow employers to have, as much as possible, a “turnkey” system of
implementing proximate commuting, where instructions, forms, and so forth are
all ready for them, and technical assistance is available by phone or in person
where questions arise.
B. Proposed Approach and Schedule
This project will be approached by first
reviewing available information to develop materials that give the best guidance
for how to set up a proximate commute program in the most convenient format.
These materials would then be obtained and be kept in the TDM
Clearinghouse at CUTR and made available in desired quantities to TDM Agencies. CUTR would develop a network of contacts to have technical
assistance available for detailed questions.
CUTR would also develop and implement a pilot proximate commute marketing
program through the University North Transportation Initiative (UNTI) in Tampa,
Florida to provide guidance in how to market proximate commute to employers.
Specific Project Tasks
Task 1 – Review of Existing
Materials.
Proximate commute has
been the subject of several case studies and reports.
These materials will be summarized for inclusion in the package to be
provided to employers. Also, proximate Commute will be given the opportunity to
provide materials that they believe would be appropriate and helpful.
The materials will be put together in a handout format for use by
employer outreach personnel. The
materials will include success stories/testimonials from previous and current
users of the proximate commute system. These materials will be stored at the TDM
Clearinghouse at CUTR. Completion:
3 months after Notice to proceed. (NTP)
Task 2 – Develop Network of
Technical Assistance Providers. It
is likely that the Proximate Commute organization will be the sole potential
provider for these services. However,
there are a variety of ways that the services could be rendered.
Each of these will be examined and a feasibility plan will be drawn up.
Options include
- Proximate
Commute provides services for a fee to local employers.
Proximate commute’s current estimate is $45,000 per employer.
- Proximate
Commute obtains a CMAQ grant for implementation funding
- Proximate
Commute “franchises” the service to local TDM agencies.
Funding is obtained for Proximate Commute to provide training in
implementation of their system.
Completion: 6 months after NTP
Task 3 – Initiate Pilot
Proximate Commute Program. Through
UNTI, CUTR will conduct a pilot program of marketing the proximate commute
program as an alternative commute option to USF-area employers.
The goal of the pilot program would be to learn operational lessons in
marketing proximate commute and providing technical assistance in program
implementation. CUTR would develop
a written report detailing UNTI’s experiences in promoting proximate commute,
and would also provide a summary of the achievements of the proximate commute
program. Cost would be controlled
since the same implementation pilot will also serve the telecommuting pilot
Completion: 12 months after NTP.
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