March 2015 We all enjoy the blue skies of Tucson, and we want to keep them blue. In an ongoing effort to keep our air clean, Pima Association of Governments is launching a Blue Skies Campaign in May through its Sun Rideshare program. During Tucson’s summer months, the temperatures begin to soar. High temperatures can trigger the formation of ozone when mixed with chemicals from car, industrial and off-road emissions. The resulting ground-level ozone is a strong lung irritant that can be especially harmful for children, the elderly and sick people. Currently, Tucson’s ozone level meets the federal health standard set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA, however, has New Clean Air Campaign Rolling out this Summer Reduce a ton of pollution and win great prizes. Keep Our Blue Skies Blue. Drive Less. a program of Pima Association of Governments 884-RIDE (7433) proposed reducing the standard which potentially could result in our region falling below the standard. The Blue Skies Campaign is a proactive approach during the peak ozone season (May to September) to encourage others throughout the region to help keep our air clean. For starters, if we all drive less each week, we could reduce air pollution in Pima County. Each month, Rideshare will focus on promoting a different mode: walking, biking, transit, car/vanpool, and telework. The Drive Less. Save More. Rewards Program will continue, with prizes related to that month’s mode. In addition, individuals who “Reduce a Ton” of pollution over the five-month campaign will be eligible for grand prizes, such as a laptop, tablet or smart phone. Take the Challenge to ‘Keep Our Blue Skies Blue’ Area businesses play a big role in promoting alternative transportation. As a Transportation Coordinator or employer, you can pledge to promote alternative transportation to your employees, your clients and your constituents and join the Blue Skies Corporate Challenge. You will be paired with like-size businesses to compete against one another to see who can have the highest employee participation and reduce the most pounds of pollution. We’ll update our Blue Skies Corporate Challenge online leader board monthly starting in May, so you can keep track of where you stand with other area businesses. Companies with the best results will be specially recognized by PAG and receive Blue Skies Awards at the end of the campaign. Want to learn more about the Corporate Challenge? Email Leslie Keena, Business Outreach Associate, at [email protected].
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March 2015
We all enjoy the blue skies of Tucson, and we want to keep them blue. In an ongoing effort to keep our air clean, Pima Association of Governments is launching a Blue Skies Campaign in May through its Sun Rideshare program.
During Tucson’s summer months, the temperatures begin to soar. High temperatures can trigger the formation of ozone when mixed with chemicals from car, industrial and off-road emissions. The resulting ground-level ozone is a strong lung irritant that can be especially harmful for children, the elderly and sick people.
Currently, Tucson’s ozone level meets the federal health standard set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA, however, has
New Clean Air Campaign Rolling out this Summer
Reduce a ton of pollution and win great prizes.
Keep Our Blue Skies Blue. Drive Less.
a program of Pima Association of Governments884-RIDE (7433)
proposed reducing the standard which potentially could result in our region falling below the standard. The Blue Skies Campaign is a proactive approach during the peak ozone season (May to September) to encourage others throughout the region to help keep our air clean.
For starters, if we all drive less each week, we could reduce air pollution in Pima County.
Each month, Rideshare will focus on promoting a different mode: walking, biking, transit, car/vanpool, and telework. The Drive Less. Save More. Rewards Program will continue, with prizes related to that month’s mode. In addition, individuals who “Reduce a Ton” of pollution over the five-month campaign will be eligible for grand prizes, such as a laptop, tablet or smart phone.
Take the Challenge to ‘Keep Our Blue Skies Blue’ Area businesses play a big role in promoting alternative transportation. As a Transportation Coordinator or employer, you can pledge to promote alternative transportation to your employees, your clients and your constituents and join the Blue Skies Corporate Challenge. You will be paired with like-size businesses to compete against one another to see who can have the highest employee participation and reduce the most pounds of pollution. We’ll update our Blue Skies Corporate Challenge online leader board monthly starting in May, so you can keep track of
where you stand with other area businesses. Companies with the best results will be specially recognized by PAG and receive Blue Skies Awards at the end of the campaign.
Want to learn more about the Corporate Challenge? Email Leslie Keena, Business Outreach Associate, at [email protected].
Leslie Keena is Pima Association of Governments’ new Business Outreach Associate for its Travel Reduction Program. She looks forward to working with TCs to find creative ways to share TRP information and to make TRP resources more easily accessible for both TCs and their fellow employees.
Keena recently relocated from Raleigh, N.C., and is currently working toward her Master’s in Public Administration at the University of Arizona. She has held communications and marketing positions at various organizations, including a public policy institute and a digital advertising agency.
Feel free to say hello at [email protected] or by calling 495-1440.
New smart app from Metropia coming to Tucson
Meet Leslie Keena, our new Business Outreach Associate To help make training
more accessible, the Travel Reduction Program is launching online training modules starting next month. These monthly sessions will cover TRP requirements, biking, walking and transit options in the region, and best practices from local TRP companies. The sessions will run 30 to 45 minutes, and you can participate right at your desk. To learn more about each of the modules and to sign up, visit sunrideshare.org and click on “News & Events.”
• April 16 - 10:30 a.m.: Transportation Coordinator Training
• May 18: Ann Chanecka, Bicycle and Pedestrian Program, City of Tucson
• June 11: Rick McNeal, vRide Vanpooling
TRP Training moving to online webinars
Metropia, a new enterprise created by the University of Arizona engineering faculty, is introducing a new smart app in Tucson in March that attempts to relieve peak congestion by getting commuters to change their travel time and route. The app is able to predict congestion, so it can recommend different times and routes for commuters to avoid traffic. By using the Metropia mobile app to plan ahead, avoid traffic and save time, consumers earn reward points toward discounted products and services. PAG is partnering with Metropia to collect travel time and speeds for our Travel Demand Model. This model is used for planning future road projects, forecasting pollution levels, and ensuring compliance with air quality regulations. Please download the mobile app, use it and recommend it to your work associates, so that enough data is gathered for PAG’s model.
Find out more about how Metropia is starting to change the way we commute in Tucson at www.metropia.com or contact Leslie Keena at [email protected].
From auto to homeowners to ATV insurance, GEICO has provided insurance policies since 1936. The company has more than 13 million auto policies (and growing) and insures more than 22 million vehicles.
The Tucson regional office employs more than 1,100 full-time employees. Kynna Armstrong, the company’s Transportation Coordinator, recognizes that commuting is time consuming and costly, so she encourages employees to participate in the new office carpooling program.
Parking at GEICO is limited, and some employees have to park offsite, either on the street or in a different lot. To incentivize employees to drive less, GEICO has reserved spaces at the front of the building for carpoolers.
Transportation Coordinator Spotlight: Kynna Armstrong, GEICOUsing the Sun Rideshare carpool match program, employees can connect with other employees who either live near each other or along their route to work. To take advantage of the carpool spots, three GEICO employees must be in the carpool.
“We have two spots right now, but there is no limit to the number of spaces as long as there are participants,” Kynna said. GEICO’s Regional Vice President sponsored the initial announcement email, and HR also has sent mass emails to remind employees. More email reminders are planned as they try to reduce the number of cars coming to GEICO. Kynna recognizes that scheduling considerations may make carpooling difficult, but they are working to expand the program.
In addition to the carpool incentive, GEICO has several fliers and information, including public transit maps, in all of its break rooms. The company also provides information about alternative transportation options to all of its new hires.
Yumi Wong is a regular participant in the carpool program at GEICO’s Tucson regional office. She learned about the program from coworkers and HR communication. Through other GEICO employees, Yumi found carpool partners and now carpools on a regular basis.
“Three team members live on the northwest side of town near me. Carpooling was one of the easiest ways
Commuter Spotlight: Yumi Wong, GEICO Carpooler
to save money, as well as save a parking space,” she said. “[It’s] not always easy to get a spot.”
GEICO’s reserved parking spaces for registered carpoolers.
Carpool commuter Yumi Wong (right), and her carpool buddies, Barbara Lunsbury and David Devery.
She likes to carpool because it creates less wear and tear on her vehicle, less money is spent on gas and it leaves less of a carbon footprint. It also makes it easier to schedule
routine maintenance for her own car, and she gets to know coworkers outside of work.
“[I like to] meditate, eat breakfast, pay bills online, catch up on emails – one can accomplish a lot during the 30 minute commute,” she said.
Once in a while, she prefers alone time. On those days, she drives herself to work, though those days are “few and far between.”
TRAVEL REDUCTION PROGRAM (TRP) NEWS:
TRP Task Force MeetingThe upcoming TRP Task Force meeting is April 6, and the following meetings will be on July 13 and Oct. 5. All TRP employers are invited. All the TRP Task Force meetings will be at 10 a.m. at Pima Association of Governments, 1 E. Broadway Blvd., Suite 401, Santa Rita Room.
Transit Visioning WorkshopsPima Association of Governments is hosting three Transit Visioning public workshops to support development of PAG’s 2045 Regional Transportation Plan. The workshops will be held at PAG, 1 E. Broadway Blvd., 4th Floor, Santa Rita Room.
• May 13 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. • May 19 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. • May 21 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Questions and RSVP at least 2 days prior to Katharine Hardy at [email protected].
Public Comment Period for PAG’s Transportation Improvement Program
Pima Association of Governments’ Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) outlines how regional transportation dollars will be spent over the next five years. It includes projects from all modes of transportation, including freeways, bike lanes and boulevards, bus and transit services and pedestrian safety programs. The draft FY 2016-2020 TIP is now available for public review, with a comment period that ends on May 27. PAG Regional Council will review the TIP on May 28. For comment information, please visit www.PAGregion.com
Sun Rideshare, a program of Pima Associa-tion of Governments, assists Pima County residents in finding affordable, reliable and convenient transportation options for their daily commutes and personal travel needs.
1 E. Broadway Blvd., Suite 401Tucson, AZ 85701 (520) 792-1093 [tel]SunRideshare.org • PAGregion.com
Ascent Aviation Services Corp.Randy Wells
City of South TucsonJoel Gastelum
Costco Wholesale GrantNathan Burkhart
Farmer’s Investment GroupKaren Husfelt
HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Southern ArizonaAshleigh Sill
The Lodge at Ventana CanyonPeggy O’Sullivan
Watson Chevrolet Inc.Karl Ryberg
TRP Companies achieve Recognition Awards in December, January and FebruarySun Rideshare recognizes all TRP companies for meeting the 2014-2015 TRP goals as shown below:
1) Achieving a 60 percent response rate on their company’s employee survey
2) Increasing their company’s alternative mode usage by 2 percentage points from current level
3) Meeting their company’s TRP ordi-nance goal for overall alternative mode usage
Bronze Awards are given to companies who meet one goal, Silver Awards for meeting two goals and Gold Awards for meeting all three goals.
Sun Rideshare also will recognize these companies online and in the Arizona Daily Star.
Coca-Cola EnterprisesCarla Presetti
Convergys Corp.Lynn Davis
Conventry Health CareJenny Coomler
The Forum at TucsonRoberta Gadilla-Sikorski
The Home Depot BroadwayEd Buchannan
The Home Depot IrvingtonJennifer Conniff
The Home Depot Marana Steve Kern
The Home Depot Oro ValleyTammy Myers
JC Penney Tucson MallKris Panas
Kalil Bottling Co.Johnelle Norris
Vail School DistrictLisa Cervantes Cienega High School/ Preschool Corona Foothills Middle/ Sycamore Elementary Senita Valley Elementary/ Rincon Vista Middle
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