Week of Sep. 29, 2008

‘In Motion’ success measured in how many miles are not driven

It’s an incentive-based program where people living in targeted neighborhoods earn rewards for making healthier travel choices. The goal is simple – drive less to save money and get more exercise.

In Motion debuted in the spring of 2004, and since that time Metro estimates that participants in 11 projects have collectively reduced their driving by 915,589 miles, cut fuel consumption by 44,433 gallons, and reduced their CO2 emissions by 431 tons.

Each of the individual projects has been based on a partnership between Metro and local cities, community groups, chambers of commerce, or individual businesses. This allows the In Motion project to be customized to the transportation needs and demographics of that neighborhood.

The first In Motion program took place in Seattle’s Madison-Miller neighborhood, where walking and biking was encouraged for trips to local stores, schools, and recreation. A more recent project in Renton focused on connecting people with transit service to avoid construction on Interstate 405.

"The success of the In Motion program has been in its neighborhood-based approach," said Metro General Manager Kevin Desmond. "It's been a very effective way for Metro to partner with a variety of organizations to reach individuals across the county. Once we get them thinking about new ways of getting around, they are eager to participate."

Columbia City residents promoted the In Motion program with yard signs.

Usually, local merchants join in by offering prizes and discounts to participants. This also helps promote shopping locally to sustain the local businesses.

Participants who pledge to drive less and report their progress through weekly trip logs earn points towards rewards, including Metro free-ride tickets and vouchers. Most of the funding for the program has come from the partnerships and federal funding to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality. The costs are relatively low, about $15-20 per household for each of the targeted neighborhoods.

Project manager Carol Cooper says one of the reasons the program has been so successful is that it is designed to be simple and convenient. Participants are asked to start by eliminating two drive-alone trips a week. They are then coached in riding the bus or using safe walking routes to make some of those trips.

“One of the side benefits is that it really helps create a sense of community when people get out of their cars and actually walk or bike around their neighborhood,” said Cooper. “Plus, studies show that relatively small differences in traffic volumes can make the difference between gridlock and free-flowing travel, not to mention increasing safety by reducing the number of cars on neighborhood streets.”
This fall, new In Motion programs are starting up in Northeast Seattle – a partnership with Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center – and the Renton Highlands. Previous programs have taken place in Ballard, downtown Bellevue, Columbia City, Crossroads, Lake Forest Park, Madison-Miller, Uptown/Queen Anne, Rainier Beach, South Lake Union, and through the countywide Healthy Living Expo.

National award honors Metro response to interstate closure King County Metro was recently awarded an “Outstanding Service Award” by the Association for Commuter Transportation, a national professional organization that supports efforts to reduce traffic congestion, conserve energy, and improve air quality. The national recognition went to Metro’s Rideshare Operations for successfully meeting increased demand for vanpools during the August 2007 closure of Interstate 5 in Seattle. Leading up to that construction project, Rideshare Operations formed and delivered 39 new vanpools – 20 of which were for mitigating congestion during the I-5 project. During that time, Rideshare Operations streamlined the process to rapidly get more commuters into vanpools. Approximately half of the special I-5 groups continued commuting by vanpool after the construction ended. Taxiway project zooms with the sunshine The recent good weather has really sped up the paving work on the taxiway. Our recent good weather has been great for basking in the sun, but it’s also been a boon for crews renovating Taxiway Bravo at King County International Airport (KCIA) at Boeing Field. In the past week, the crews have made significant progress on paving the 10,000-foot long taxiway. During the summer, utility improvements were made to Taxiway Bravo, along with reconstructing several connecting taxiways and adding paved shoulders along the center portion of the airport’s long runway. Also, much of the stormwater drainage system was upgraded. The $12 million project is being topped off during October with more than 56,000 tons of asphalt for repaving. The work is being staged to minimize disruptions to airport traffic and tenants.

Fall auto and equipment auction this Saturday King County will host its annual fall auction of surplus automobiles and equipment this Saturday, Oct. 4 in Renton. The bidding starts at 9 a.m. This auction features many pick-up trucks, vans, passenger cars, and several former sheriff patrol cars. There are also used forklifts, chainsaws, mowers, and miscellaneous equipment. The auction is managed by the Fleet Administration Division of the King County Department of Transportation. It will be held at 3005 NE Fourth Street, Renton, near the Renton Technical College. Previews will be held Thursday and Friday, Oct. 2 and 3, at the auction site from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and on Saturday starting at 8 a.m. For more information, visit the auction website. Bright lights, big city, historic buses Join the Metro Employees Historic Vehicle Association (MEHVA) on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. for a 3-hour tour of Seattle's distinctive and varied nightlife neighborhoods, including Pioneer Square, Broadway, lower Queen Anne, and the University District. There will be stops for photos and coffee. The historic trolleys depart from the corner of Second Avenue South and South Main Street in Pioneer Square. The fares are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors (65 and over) and $4 for children (2-11). Metro transfers, tickets, or passes are not accepted. See the MEHVA website for more details, or call the MEHVA hotline at (206) 684-1816.

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