Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutP02-0031 TDM Program 04-01-2002 APPROVED BYTME PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO SUB.lEcr TO THE CONDITlONS OF APPPDVN.. CASE' ':::(0 2-- C::Oo \ :- ~S-~~ April 1, 2002 Transportation Demand Management Program for Slough Estates 285 East Grand/349 Allerton Projects, South San Francisco, California Prepared by Richard Booth Sequoia Solutions Consulting 2995 Woodside Road Suite 400 Woodside, Ca. 94062 650.747.9745 [email protected] 285 East Grandi 349 Allerton Transportation Demand Management Program -An overview- a. Slough Estates ("Slough") is committed to being a good neighbor in the community and understands the importance of minimizing environmental impacts in the South San Francisco Cabot, Cabot, and Forbes Industrial Park. Slough realizes that informing tenants of the alternative methods of commuting available will lead to reductions in congestion and pollution and have a positive contribution to the community. Slough desires to attract and retain excellent tenants, offer an attractive worksite, as well as a creative, productive, and comfortable environment for its employees. Slough is committed to encourage and assist tenants to develop and utilize an extensive and innovative, Transportation Demand Management Program. b. Slough shall require all tenants to designate at least one employee as a TOM "point of contact" representative within their respective company. Slough shall coordinate the training of such personnel. Slough will also designate a Slough representative to serve as a resource to each tenant-appointed TDM personnel. Such representative will be available via telephone or email to assist with commute questions, concerns, or transit service problems. This employee will prepare historical surveyed commute records for annual submission of a TOM Report to the City of South San Francisco Planning Department. All new tenants and their employees shall be required to participate in a "new employee orientation program". Most importantly, this program will explain the importance of trip reduction methods and their benefits to the community. The program orientation will also address the TDM mission statement, alternative commute options, provide transit schedules, maps, and offer free ride matching services. All new employees shall complete a commuter survey indicating the modes of commuting available, and what their expected mode would be. c. Slough will promote the use of the existing Peninsula Congestion Relief Alliance's ("Alliance"), Utahl East Grand Shuttle Bus System, and the use of public transit modes of travel. These commuter shuttles operate during peak commute hours to the South San Francisco CalTrain Station, and to the San Francisco Glen Park Bart Station. Areas shall be designated for passenger loading, as well as adequate shelter areas. 2 d. Slough will advocate to its tenants the use of the Alliance "Emergency Ride Home" program. This allows employees who utilize alternative forms of commuting a free ride home for emergencies up to four times per year via taxicabs or rental cars. Slough will assist tenants in procuring grant monies available for such programs. e. Slough will encourage its tenants to sponsor taxi vouchers for the transportation of employees for medical appointments, during regular business hours. A typical program would apply to round trip transportation, (20 miles each way), up to two times per year. This is an incentive to not bring a vehicle to work (or to use one). f. Per the Commuter Check Program, pre tax payroll deductions will allow up to $100.00 per month for public transit passes, and the expense for participating in vanpools. In addition, Slough will encourage its tenants to subsidize and match each additional dollar for this program up to $50.00 per month, per participant. g. Vanpools will be provided as an attractive method of commuting. Vanpools will be established, subject to economic feasibility and employee participation. Slough will reimburse the primary and secondary drivers for required medical exams. Advertising methods such as "wrapping" the van pools may subsidize some of the operating expenses. Dedicated "preferential parking" areas will be provided in highly visible and signed, areas. Passenger loading areas shall be designated. h. Bicycling will be a viable commute option. Slough will require its tenants to include shower facilities within their buildings to help promote cycling as an alternate commute option. Slough will designate specific common area locations within the project for bicycle lockers or racks. Slough will also petition existing shuttle operators to include equipment on transit shuttles to accommodate bicycles. Common bicycle and transit commute routes will be shared and published. i. Slough will designate secure areas for motorcycles. These signed areas will be equipped with methods of impact protection from moving vehicular traffic. j. Slough will supply tenants with information to assist them in developing a formal telecommuting program to be available for selected employees; dependent upon position and specific work requirements. This information will include "how to" instructions, including sample contracts between management 3 and employees, feedback mechanisms, with ergonomics, insurance and worker's compensation issues. k. Taxicab vouchers will be available for local business transportation, including travel to and from the S.F.O. International Airport. Visitor promotional materials will be available to promote the use of public transit to / from SFO Airport. Tenants will be encouraged to subsidize one-way taxi rides as incentives. Taxi loading zones will be designated. I. The S.S.F. Downtown Dasher program will be promoted for mid day travel to the downtown area. m. Electric vehicle charging facilities and utility expenses will be available at no charge to employees. New parking facilities shall incorporate the infrastructure to accommodate at least two charging stations the garage. o. Tenants will be required to provide visitors and job applicants with the local public transportation options, shuttle schedules, and transit maps for the area, to encourage the use of public transit. p. Slough will expedite through the tenant TOM "point of contact" personnel, employee surveys to determine current modes of commuting. The surveys will be conducted via e-mail, or other acceptable methods of communication. Non-responses to commute surveys are to be counted as "drive alone". q. Slough will develop an Internet web site that will contain a section for commuter information, the results of the current employee commute method survey, as well as the efforts and effectiveness of the TDM Program. New commute options will be advertised and promoted, as well as area transit schedules. r. Tenants will be encouraged to participate in the Bay Area Air Quality Management District's "Spare the Air" program during unhealthy weather conditions. Participants will be requested to not drive to work alone, and seek other methods of commuting. Enrollment will be via the BAAQMD Web page, and a "Spare the Air Day' notification will be sent via e-maiL as soon as it is forecasted. Participation in other local ride share promotions throughout the year, will also be encouraged. s. Slough will reward as special incentives, in recognition of successful carpool efforts, incentive awards such as tune-ups, smog checks and oil changes. 4 t. Slough will make an annual financial contribution to RIDES For Bay Area Commuters, "Ride Your Bike to Work Week", promotion, to help promote bicycle commuting. u. Chartering of busses for group activities and off site meetings will be encouraged. Services will include booking, group discounts, invoicing, and special services, as needed. v. At the time that commuter Bay Ferry Services are available, Slough will investigate including commuter transportation links to the proposed Oyster Point Ferry Terminal. w. Slough will charge tenants a monthly parking fee for surface and garage parking. Reduced fees will be applied to carpools and vanpools. March 14,2002 Transportation Demand Management Program for SLOUGH ESTATES, 285 EAST GRAND I 349 ALLERTON SITES 5 South San Francisco, California Slough Estates is committed to developing an environmentally conscious project complete with an effective Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program. Slough will encourage its tenants to consider the program as part of a comprehensive benefit package designed to attract and retain quality employees. Slough will educate tenants about commuting alternatives in efforts to foster increased community awareness. The proposed full project build out population based on 100% R&D use, is approximately 661 employees, in two buildings, for a total project of 205,000 square feet. (3.1 employees per 1,000 square feet). A multi level parking garage is also part of this development. Projected individual element goals are based on the level of employee participation (30%, or 210 employees) utilizing commute alternatives. It is anticipated that the level of employee participation will increase over time, due to the expanded TDM program efforts and incentives offered to employees. This enhanced TOM Program identifies the methods that will meet, and exceed this goal of commute trip reduction. This project is intended to be developed in two construction phases, Phase 1 (285), with 75,000 square feet, (37% of project) during 2003, and Phase 2 (349), which will consist of 130,000 square feet, (63% of project) during 2006. 6 A. PROGRAM ELEMENTS: 1. New employees shall be required to participate in a new employee orientation program. This program will explain the TDM Mission Statement, explain alternative commute options, and provide transit schedules, maps, and offer free ride matching services to encourage the formation of carpools. All new employees will complete an "Initial Commuter Survey". The survey will ask new employees to select their expected mode(s) of transportation from a list of commuting options available to the project. This method has been proven to be a very effective means to promote alternative commute patterns, before new employees commuting habits are established. Passenger drop off and loading areas shall be designated. Carpools shall have a minimum of ten percent of the preferential parking areas in the garages. Phase 1 Program goal: 31 Employee trips saved daily: 62 Phase 2 Program goal: 52 Employee trips saved daily: 104 Total element goal: 83 2. The program will effectively promote the use of the existing Alliance Shuttle Bus System, and the use of mixed public transit modes. Commuter shuttles operate during peak commute hours to the South San Francisco CalTrain Station, and to the San Francisco Glen Park Bart Station. The Alliance has confirmed that capacity and willingness to accommodate additional users should not be a problem. Employer operated shuttles connecting to public transit have been identified as the most effective marketing method of attracting passengers to public transit systems. (Source: SamTrans and CalTrain 20 year marketing plans). Shuttle shelters will be included, as appropriate. Phase 1 Program goal: 23 Employee trips saved daily: 46 Phase 2 Program goal: 38 Employee trips saved daily: 76 Total element goal: 61 7 (Additional daytime trips are also saved utilizing available alternative transportation modes, for lunches, errands, and medical appointments, although not part of these figures). 3. The program will advocate to its tenants the use of the Peninsula Congestion Relief Alliance's "Emergency Ride Home" program. This allows employees who utilize alternative forms of commuting a free ride home for emergencies up to four times per year via taxicabs or rental cars. (50% grant matching funds are available to the employers that participate in this program). These types of programs have been identified as the number one incentive for employees to rideshare. Employers have seen increases of 15-20% in ridesharing when this type of program is offered to employees (Source: RIDES 1999 Commute Survey). This program will promote an increased use of alternative transit, however some employees will already be using these modes. It is a deciding factor in not driving alone, and a valuable method to deal with the unknown urgent need for an employee to quickly get home for emergencies. Phase 1 Program goal: 8% of employees Employee trips saved daily: Indirect program benefit. Phase 2 Program goal: 10% of employees Employee trips saved daily: Indirect program benefit. Total element goal: 18% Indirect program benefit 4. Slough will encourage tenants to provide transportation for employee medical appointments, during regular business hours, via taxi vouchers, for a round trip, up to two times per year. This is an incentive to not bring a vehicle to work. Phase 1 Program goal: 1 %of employees Employee trips saved daily: Indirect program benefit Phase 2 Program goal: 1 % of employees Employee trips saved daily: Indirect program benefit Total element goal: 2% Indirect program benefit 8 5.Per the Commuter Check Program, pre tax payroll deductions will allow the employee up to $100.00 per month for public transit passes, and the expense for participating in vanpools. In addition, Slough will encourage its tenants to subsidize and match this program up to $50.00 per month, per participant. Transit pass subsidies of as little as $15.00 per month has shown a significant increase in monthly commute pass sales in other areas of the state. (Source: The Hoyt Company). Phase 1 Program goal: 5% of employees Employee trips saved daily: Indirect program benefit Phase 2 Program goal: 7% of employees Employee trips saved daily: Indirect program benefit Total element goal: 12% Indirect program benefit 6. Van pools will be provided as an attractive method of commuting. Vanpools will be established, and subsidized, subject to economic feasibility and employee participation. Slough will reimburse the primary and secondary drivers for required medical exams. Advertising methods such as "wrapping" the vanpools may subsidize some of the operating expenses. Dedicated "preferential parking" areas will be provided in highly visible areas. Subsidies for vanpools by employers, is the most desired factor in deciding to vanpool (Source: RIDES 2000 Commute Profile). Phase 1 Program goal: 12 Employee trips saved daily: 24 Phase 2 Program goal: 21 Employee trips saved daily: 42 Total element goal: 33 7. Bicycling will be promoted as a viable commute option. Bicycle lockers, storage areas, racks, and showers, will be available. The local Bayside Trail provides important trail links to other areas. Common bicycle and transit commute routes of the employees in the area will be shared and published. Phase 1 Program goal: 3 Employee trips saved daily: 6 9 Phase 2 Program goal: 4 Employee trips saved daily: 8 Total element goal: 7 8. Motorcycles will be accommodated in secure, signed designated areas, with methods of impact protection from automobile traffic. Motorcycles pollute less, may use carpool lanes, and cross toll bridges during commute hours for free. Phase 1 Program goal: 1 Employee trips saved daily: 2 Phase 2 Program goal: 3 Employee trips saved daily: 6 Total element goal: 4 9.Telecommuting reduces both traffic and the need for employee parking facilities. Slough will supply tenants with information to assist them in developing a formal telecommuting program with "how- to" instructions, including contracts between management and the employees, feedback mechanisms, ergonomics, insurance and worker's compensation issues. The information will also include suggestions for possible methods to track telecommuting days. Phase 1 Program goal: 3 Employee trips saved daily: 6 Phase 2 Program goal: 4 Employee trips saved daily: 8 Total element goal: 7 10 10. The use of taxicab vouchers will be encouraged for local business transportation, including travel to and from the S.F.O. International Airport. Indirect commute impact. 11. The S.S.F. Downtown Dasher program will be promoted for midday travel to the downtown area. Slough will encourage its tenants to pay for round trip program vouchers. Indirect commute impact. 12. Electric vehicles produce no local air pollution, and will be supported. Electric vehicle charging utility expenses will be available at no charge to the employees. New parking facilities shall incorporate the infrastructure to accommodate at least one charging station the parking lot or garage. Use will be available for employees as well as for visitors. Phase 1 Program goal: 0 Employee trips saved daily: 0 Phase 2 Program goal: 1 Employee trips saved daily: 2 Total element goal: 1 13. Tenants will be required to provide visitors and job applicants with public transportation options, shuttle schedules, and transit maps for the area, to promote the use of public transit. Indirect beneficial impact to commute. 14. Employee surveys shall be conducted to determine current modes of commuting. The surveys will be conducted via e-mail. Non-responses to commute surveys are to be counted as "drive alone". Indirect benefit to program. 15. Slough will develop an internet web site that will contain a section for commuter information, the results of the current employee commute method survey, as well as the efforts and effectiveness of the TDM Program. New commute options will be advertised and promoted. Indirect benefit to program. 16. An employee contact person will be available to answer commute questions, concerns, or transit problems. This employee will be available via telephone or e- mail. This employee will prepare historical surveyed commute records, for annual ] ] submission of a TDM Report to the City of South San Francisco Planning Department. This person will work in conjunction with the Peninsula Congestion Relief Alliance to assist in the promotion of ridesharing programs, and events. Indirect benefit to program. 17. Employees will be encouraged to participate in the Bay Area Air Quality District's "Spare the Air" program during unhealthy weather conditions. Participants will be requested to not drive to work alone, and seek other methods of commuting. Enrollment will be via the BAAQMD Web page, and "Spare the Air Day' notification will be sent via e-mail, as soon as it is forecasted. Indirect benefit to program. 18. Slough will charge its tenants a monthly parking fee for surface and garage parking. Locations with free parking have a drive alone rate of 77%, while those locations with parking fees have a drive alone rate of 39% (Source RIDES Commute Profile 2000). Indirect benefit to program. 12 B. MEASURING TDM PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS: Alternative methods of commute modes: New TOM Program Gains: (eliminate trips) (12.6%) (10.0%) ( 5.0%) ( 1.0%) ( 0.5%) ( 1.0%) (<0.1%) Carpools: Shuttles: Vanpools: Bicycles: Motorcycles: Telecommuting: Electric Vehicles: 83 round trips per day 61 round trips per day 33 round trips per day 7 round trips per day 4 round trips per day 7 round trips per day 1 round trips per day (30.1%) TOTAL: 196 round trips! day reduced New program goal: 196 new reduced round trips, per day (183 would be required) TDM Program gains: 196 round trips per day (reduction) Employee daily trips saved: 196 Projected Employee Participation Goal: 30% 13 C. C/CAG Project Guidelines: The designed TDM program is required to have the capacity to fully mitigate the 661 new peak a.m.l p.m. commute trips generated by this project: TDM Measure: Quantity: Trip Credit: Bicycle lockers and racks. One per every 3 (15) 5 Showers and changing rms. Two per ea. (4) 8 Shuttle to transit wi ERH Two per round trip seat (61) 122 Paid Parking fee $20. I month min. One trip per space (615) 615 Transit ticket subsidy One per ea. $20.lmonth min. (60) 60 Preferential parking carpools Two per space (62) 124 Preferential parking vanpools Seven per space (4) 28 Vanpool program w/ERH Ten per space 40 Emergency Ride Program One per every two members (60) 30 Total trip credits: 1,032 ]4 D. CONCLUSION: An employee participation level of 30% indicates that with a projected population of 661 employees, the potential of 183 employees could actively participate in alternative modes of commuting. TDM Program offerings could reasonably eliminate 183 daily round commute trips at this project location. In addition, alternative mid day transportation options are to be made available to reduce the need for a vehicle. (These methods are very effective in reducing congestion, parking demands, and reducing "cold start" pollution sources, although not used in the calculated daily trip reduction figures). On site amenities will further reduce the need for mid day travel, and parking demand. Attractive options to driving alone will be supported, and with the available choices of transit options, employer subsidies, and marketing, this program can be an effective tool to encourage commuters to forgo drive alone situations. The new TDM Plan identifies the need of a total of 183 daily commute trip reductions, at full project completion and activation. Employee and tenant surveys will provide sufficient feedback on the success and effectiveness of this program. Management supports, and understands the importance of an effective TDM Program, as part of a progressive business environment. 15 16