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HomeMy WebLinkAboutElan TDM Program 06-26-2001 TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM pilar Research & Development Facility Research & Development; Area-Tenant Improvement Located at 1000 Gateway Blvd. City of South San Francisco, CA June 26, 200' ISSUED FOR PLAN CHECK Prepared by Elan Pharmaceuticals COVERSHT.dw9 June 20, 200f Transportation Demand Management Program For 800/1000 Gateway Boulevard, South San Francisco, California Elan Pharmaceuticals are committed to being good neighbors in the community. They understand the importance of minimizing environmental impacts at the Gateway in South San Francisco. It realizes that supporting alternative methods of commuting, it reduces congestion and pollution, creating positive contributions to the community. A Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program is a means to attract and retain excellent employees as part of comprehensive benefit packages offered to all employees. Elan Pharmaceuticals are committed to supporting an extensive (TDM) program. The proposed full project build out population is approximately 250 employees, in two buildings, (150 in. 60,000 square feet, and 100 in. 45,000 square feet). Using the current population census of 350 employees, it then appears that an 28% negative growth in the number of employees could occur. A 1-.28 factor is used for negative growth projection purposes. Projected individual element goals are based on the existing level of employee participation will decrease, due to the expanded TDM program efforts, and offerings to employees. The existing commute mode data used is from the 01-10-00 Elan's Transit survey. Parking supply at this location is a concern to the City of South San Francisco. The 60,000 sq. ft. of building 1000 would have a requirement of 163 parking spaces (2.71/1000 gross sq. ft.). Based on the current parking requirement Bldg. 1000 have 176 (plus 4 bike lockers) parking spaces. Based on negative growth additional parking spaces will not be built. A. PROGRAM ELEMENTS: 1. New employees negative impact not required to attend a new employee orientation program. Existing round trip carpool passengers: # 10 Program goal: 10 Program gain: 0 Employee round trips saved daily: 5 2. The program will effectively promote the use of the Gateway Shuttle Bus System, and the use of public transit. Computer shuttles operate during peak commute hours to the South San Francisco CalTrain Station, and to the San Francisco Glen Page 1 of 7 Park Bart Station. Employer operated shuttles connecting to the 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). Existing # of participants: 35 Program goal: 35 Program gain: 0 Employee round trips saved daily: 17 (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 participate in the peninsula Congestion Relief Alliance "Emergency Ride Home" program. This allows employees who utilize alternative forms of commuting a free ride home for emergencies up to 4 times per year via taxicabs or rental cars. (50% grant matching funds are available to the employees that participate in this program). These types of programs have been identified as the number incentive for employees to rideshare. Employees have seen increases of 15-20% in ridesharing when this type of program is offered to employees (Source: RIDES 1999 Commute Survey). Currently, Elan has no participants in this program. Existing program participants # 0 Program goal: 10 Program gain: 10 Employee round trips saved daily: 1(10% of program gain). This program will encourage an increased use of alternative transit, however some employees will already be using these models. 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. 4. Transportation for employee medical appointments, during regular business hours, will be provided by company paid taxi vouchers, round trip, up to two times per year. This is an incentive to not bring a vehicle to work. Existing program participants: # 0 Program goal: 2 Program gain: 2 Employee round trips saved per day: 1 This program will encourage an increased use of alternative transit, however many will already be using these models. It is a deciding factor in not driving alone, and a valuable method for transportation to medical and dental appointments. Page 2 of 7 5. Pre tax payroll deductions will allow the employee up to $65.00 per month for public transit passes, and the expense for participating in vanpools via the Computer Check Program. Existing program participants: # 10 Program goal: 20 Program gain: 10 Employee round trips saved per day: 5 (based on the fact that Y2 may already be utilizing alternative modes). 6. Vanpools will be promoted, and encouraged, as an attractive method of commuting. Vanpools will be established, and subsidized, subject to economic feasibility and employee participation. The company will pay for required medical exams for primary and secondary drivers. 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). Existing program participants: # 0 Program goal: 10 Program gain: 10 Employee round trips saved per day: 5 7. Bicycling will be promoted as a visible commute option. Bicycle lockers, racks, showers, and the accommodation on transit shuttles will be available. The local Bayside Trail, (a segment is now under construction locally), will provide important trail links to other areas. Common commute routes of the employees in the area will be shared and published. Existing program participants: # 2 Program goal: 6 Program gain: 4 Employee round trips saved per day: 3 8. Motorcycles will be accommodated in secure, signed designated areas, with methods of impact protection from automobile traffic. Designated motorcycle- parking limits the use of one automobile parking space for only one motorcycle. Motorcycles may use carpool lanes, and cross toll bridges during commute hours for free. Existing program participants: # 4 Program goal: 4 Program gain: 0 Page 3 of 7 Employee round trips saved per day: 2 9. Telecommuting reduces both traffic and the need for employee parking facilities. A formal telecommuting program will be developed, with "how-to" instructions, contracts between management and the employees, feedback mechanisms, ergonomics, insurance and worker's compensation issues explained. It will be available for selected employees, dependent upon position and work requirements. A method of tracking the telecommuting days will be developed. Existing program participants: # 0 Program goal: 1 Program gain: 1 Employee round trips saved per day: 0 10. Taxicab vouchers will be available 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. The company will pay for round trip program vouchers. Indirect commute impact. 12. Electric vehicles produce no local air pollution, and will be promoted. 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 per parking lot or garage. Use will be available for employees as well as for visitors. Existing program participants: # 0 Program goal: 1 Program gain: 1 Employee round trips saved per day: 0 13. Often visitors and job applicants do not have there own transportation. Visitors and job applicants will be provided with public transportation options, shuttle schedules, and transit maps for the area, to encourage the use of public transit. Indirect beneficial impact to commute. 14. Quarterly employee surveys shall be conducted via e-mail. Non-responses to commute surveys are to be counted as "drive alone". Indirect benefit to program. 15. The corporate web site 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. Also, a "Transit Information Bulletin Board" centrally located in the building will display transit information, schedules, as well as current promotions. New commute options will be advertised and promoted. Indirect benefit to program. Page 4 of 7 16. An employee will be available to answer commute questions, concerns, or transit problems. 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. Walking to work may be a viable commute option for some select employees, and is an excepted alternative mode of commuting. Existing program participants: # 0 Program goal: 1 Program gain: 1 Employee round trips saved daily: 0 B. THE EXISTING PROGRAM: EXISTING COMMUTE MODE - 01-10-00 Employee Survey for 1000 Gateway Transit Survey Results: 73 responses from a 150-employee base: Bart CalTrain Carpool Bike Walk Motorcycle 14 Telecommute o 17 5 o o A total of 26 employees currently utilize alternative methods to commute, from the current employee population of 150. Non-respondents are considered "Dive Alone Mode". Mixed methods of commuting (such as transit/carpool) and a variety of Page 5 of 7 different daily commute modes, are not reported. These identify a current participation level of alternative commute modes to be: 17% THE EXISTING HINES POA TDM PROGRAM PROMOTES: Shuttles to Bart and CalTrain Bicycle racks and shower facilities Tuesday lunch shuttle to Tanforan Mall Tuesday lunch shuttle to Serramonte Mall Taxi Cab Voucher Program Emergency Ride Home Program New employer information packages C. NEW TDM PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS: Alternative methods of commuting: New TDM Program Gains: (eliminates) Carpools: 5 round trips a day Shuttles: 17 round trips a day ERH: 1 round trips a day Vanpools: 5 rounds a day Bicycles: 3 round trips a day Motorcycles: 2 round trips a day Telecommuting: 0 round trips a day Walking: 0 round trip a day TOTAL: 33 round trips a day New program goal: 33 new reduced round trips, per day. (150 employees x 17% = 25 trips per day would be needed to maintain the existing level of employee participation with existing TDM) Elan Population negative gain: 100 TDM Program gains: 33 round trips per day (reduction) Employee daily trips saved: 59 (26 + 33) Projected employee participation goal: 15 D. CONCLUSION: A current employee participation level of 17% indicates that with 150 employees, the potential of 25 employees could actively participate in alternative modes of commuting. The existing 26 employees who currently use alternative commute modes, as well as an estimated 33 employees enticed into expanded TDM Program offerings, could reasonably eliminate 59 daily round commute trips at this 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 Page 6 of 7 congestion, parking demands, and reducing "cold start" pollution sources, although not used in the calculated daily trip reduction figures). Attractive options to driving alone will be effectively promoted, and with the available choices of transit options, employer subsides, 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 33 new daily commute trips reduction, at full project completion and activation. Quarterly employee 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 a part of a progressive business environment. Page 7 of 7