Over the past decade, more than 32,000 Georgians have been part of a program that rewards them for doing their part to clear the roads and clean the air.  It was 10 years ago this fall that The Clean Air Campaign started offering commuters a financial nudge to make a change in the name of cleaner air and less traffic.  The incentive was initially only offered in metro Atlanta, and only during smog season.  Today there are more incentives that make up the Commuter Rewards program, and they are available year-round, to all Georgia commuters.

The idea for Cash for Commuters was borne out of a question we ask ourselves all the time at The Clean Air Campaign: what can we do to influence commuters to change their behavior? 

Some 82% of commuters in metro Atlanta – and 79% of commuters statewide – drive alone.  Why not pay them a nominal amount to try alternatives like carpooling, vanpooling, riding transit, bicycling or walking on their trips to and from work?  In effect, this outcome is designed to pay commuters to break an existing habit just as much as it is to acquire a new one. 

These became the cornerstone principles of the Cash for Commuters program:

1. If the drive-alone skeptics could experience the benefits of not being behind the wheel over the course of a trial period – and come to appreciate those benefits – the money would be a great investment.  Data shows 74 percent of participants are still using alternatives to the solo drive 18-24 months after their participation in the Cash for Commuters program ends.
2. Applying the old adage that it takes about 30 days to form or break a habit, the trial period needed to be long enough for commuters to see the difference in their household budgets and their stress levels. 
3. Documenting commute activity during program participation could show commuters and employers alike the difference they make, expressed in terms of vehicle miles not traveled, air pollution not emitted and financial savings on commute costs.  Each workday, the commuters who take part in this and other Clean Air Campaign programs help eliminate 1.4 million vehicle miles of travel and keep 700 tons of pollution out of the air we all breathe, while saving $658,000 on commute costs.  

While the Cash for Commuters program rewards those who switch with $3 a day, up to a $100 maximum payout, the experience shows it’s not just about the money.  That’s why other regions around the U.S. became interested in creating similar programs.  The experience here in Georgia also has shown that commuters know where to turn for relief when gas prices jump.  There has often been a strong correlation between participation in the Cash for Commuters program and the price at the pump.  After Hurricane Katrina swept through the Gulf in 2005 and fuel supply lines were crippled, gas price increases drove more Georgia commuters to change their behavior.  And in 2008, the run-up to $4-a-gallon gas had commuters beating down the door to get relief. 

In all seasons and in all circumstances, Georgia commuters share a common trait: seeking ways to make better use of their time and money.  Cash for Commuters, in its ten-year history, has helped thousands of people cross over to the greener pastures of alternative commuting.  Discovering the myriad benefits – for their wallets and their well-being – is what keeps them there.     

The ink is still drying on a new report that describes traffic congestion in the Atlanta region.  On paper, it appears that Atlanta’s reputation as a bumper-to-bumper bastion of gridlock is improving.  But a closer look reveals a tale of two regions:

It was the best of times …
The Texas Transportation Institute’s latest edition of the Urban Mobility Study for Atlanta indicates traffic sucks less in the region.  Atlanta improved its position in the overall rankings, moving from 11th worst traffic in the U.S. to 13th worst.  There is more open space on the roads and strategies to manage traffic are working.  But don’t throw the confetti just yet.

It was the worst of times …
Double-digit unemployment factors into the current conditions.  But the new data also show what the region is losing because of systemic traffic interference:
−    At the nexus of time and money, each peak commuter in the region loses $924 annually in opportunity costs because they can’t get out of traffic.  Hello, monthly mortgage payment.   

−    Further adding to the white-knuckled, vein-popping frustration, each peak commuter squanders 43 hours over the course of a year sitting in congestion delays above and beyond normal commute times.  That’s more time than many employees receive for vacation in a given year.

−    Employers in the region swallow a cumulative $2.5 billion in lost productivity because employees are stuck in traffic.  This becomes an integral part of conversations in corner offices around the region when business community leaders discuss the Transportation Investment Act.

−    Excess fuel consumption also hits commuters in the pocketbook.  The region burns up 53 million gallons of gas annually while peak commuters simmer in traffic, resulting in discretionary dollars diverted away from local retailers.

At the end of the day, much of what brings this tale of two regions together is the sense of urgency around stabilizing the economy.  It can be expected that as times of economic prosperity eventually find their way back to Atlanta, so, too, will more commuters.  How the region changes - in terms of embracing commute options and expanding the transportation network to bust out of traffic congestion - determines whether we can hold our position and not backslide into traffic oblivion.

The second-annual Georgia Telework Week brought more attention and support to the idea that sometimes, the best commute is the one employees don’t have to make. 

Some highlights from 2011 Georgia Telework Week:

• The Clean Air Campaign received support from Georgia Governor Nathan Deal, who issued a proclamation declaring the week of September 12-16 an ideal to recognize that “The potential for growth of telework in Georgia is tremendous.  Georgia businesses can save money, realize more productivity from their workforces and improve recruitment and retention.”

• Nearly 140 Georgia employers in both the private and public sectors gave their support during Georgia Telework Week.

• Dozens of employers attended the first-ever Georgia Telework Summit to learn from their peers about how to effectively grow and manage telework in the context of a workplace strategy.

• The results of the 336,000 commuters who telework at least once a week eliminated some 12 million miles of vehicle travel from Georgia roads and kept 6,000 tons of pollution out of the air we all breathe.

• These commuters also saved a combined $5.6 million on gas and car expenses by teleworking.

• More than 2,000 teleworkers logged their commute into the Commuter Rewards system, and 25 of them were selected at random to receive $25 gift cards as a thank you for teleworking

• Teleworkers submitted 25 nominations for Telemanager of the Quarter, an award given to an outstanding manager of remote workers who has made a big difference by championing telework at their company

• One organization noted that their telework program has helped leverage nearly $400,000 of savings on building maintenance and janitorial services.

Some comments from employer organizations that support telework:
“Because of telework programs at our mid-sized, 70 person company, we will eliminate up to 850 commute trips this year.”
-- VeenendaalCave

“We’re using telework as a strategy to increase productivity and cost savings in these tough economic times. We now have an entire division that has transitioned into telework.”
-- Georgia Department of Community Health

“In addition to providing greater flexibility and efficiency for our employees, the systems and infrastructure that we have established in order to facilitate teleworking have also served as an effective "emergency plan" when staff was unable to get to the office (during last January's ice storm, for example).”
-- Park Pride

Some comments from commuters who telework:

“I am actually more productive when I telework and work longer hours.  It allows me to balance home and work better.”
-- Julie D.

“Anything we can all do to keep our air cleaner and reduce our dependence on foreign oil is the right thing to do.”
-- Mark F.

Three key takeaways from 2011 Georgia Telework Week:

1.  While there are already more than 600,000 teleworkers in metro Atlanta and more across Georgia, there is tremendous potential to further grow telework statewide. At least 245,000 more commuters would telework if their employers established a program.

2.  Georgia is among the most wired areas in the nation, giving us a competitive advantage for telework over other major metropolitan areas. Due to our changing workforce and technology, more jobs today can be accomplished remotely.

3.  What bears out time and again from organizations trying to get telework programs off the ground is that the winning formula begins with management support.  Embracing telework as a business strategy becomes a primary objective in the early going: helping make the business case is one of the many ways The Clean Air Campaign’s telework consulting experts can help.

It’s hard to believe that less than 30 years ago telecommuting did not even exist, and it was only 20 years ago that the Internet made telecommuting a practical option. Supervisors did not study job descriptions to find out if they were compatible with telecommuting or how to manage employees without seeing them in the office every day.

We have come a long way to finally reach the point where a “place of work” is not just an office – it’s where you are able to do your work, and employers have the flexibility to define what that looks like for their organization. 

At Gwinnett County Government, we have quite a few employees who are able to telework and take the option to do so. It is by no means a requirement, but it is great to see employees take the initiative to help us out with parking challenges we have at some of our facilities, reducing congestion on roads and side streets, and ultimately taking responsibility for supporting clean air initiatives in metro Atlanta.

Our employees are smart. They see the benefits of teleworking for us as an employer as well as what’s in it for them. Employees who telework recognize that they are more productive since their work day starts promptly at 8 a.m. when they are able to power up their computers at home instead of having to rush out the door and sit in traffic on the way to the office. They see that teleworking reduces their travel time and stress and they know that when they are happier, they work harder.

I look forward to seeing how technology will continue to transform the workplace and help us with our goals of reducing our impact on the environment. I can’t help but wonder where we will be 30 years from now.

Kenneth Poe, is human resources director for Gwinnett County.  Gwinnett County Government was recently named a finalist for the PACE Government Champion Award given to county employers with outstanding commute options programs. 

The second-annual Georgia Telework Week wraps up September 16.  Show your support for telework here.

Employer representatives from the public and private sector convened in Atlanta for the inaugural 2011 Georgia Telework Summit, a special event held during Georgia Telework Week to bring telework into focus as an emerging workplace strategy. 

Attendees heard a keynote address on telework benefits from Geri Thomas, market president for Bank of America's Georgia operations, as well as guest panelists who discussed issues ranging from technology to work environment trends.  Here's a pictorial glimpse inside the 2011 Georgia Telework Summit:

More than 80 people attended the 2011 Georgia Telework Summit, bringing together employers from the public and private sectors to hear from subject matter experts about telework best practices and ideas for implementation.

Panelists representing employers from Coca-Cola Refreshments, UPS,U.S. Department of Labor and other organizations shared expertise on growing successful telework programs at the 2011 Georgia Telework Summit.

Steve Rae, founder of Roam workspace solutions, shares insight on emerging trends for workplaces.  According to Steve, 85% of white collar execs have access to laptop computers and the need for flexible workspace is growing as traditional workplaces and home office environments begin to meet in the middle.

Check out this new case study video about telework, and how The Clean Air Campaign helped one employer make the transition from an informal arrangement to a formal program that yielded improved productivity and got more employees to participate.

Vocalocity received the inaugural PACE Telework Catalyst Award at the 2011 PACE Awards.  Learn more about their program here.

At a|i|m Marketing Solutions, we have been thrilled with what telework has brought to our company.  Not only does it contribute to the organization’s objectives and employees’ well-being, it also does a small part in saving our precious environment.  With technologies such as Skype, smart-phones, and company laptops, we find that our employees are more productive when working from home. 

a|i|m Marketing Solutions implemented our “teleworking day” policy in 2007, and ever since, it has been our employees’ favorite day (besides Saturday and Sunday of course!) After 90 days of working with us, an employee is eligible to pick one day a week to work from home.  We expect them to have a “business as usual” type day, constantly checking email and phones.  Our laptops have enabled us to connect to our server from outside the office, so an employee should have no problems pulling files or information they might need. 

We have also found that telework makes for much happier a|i|m employees.  With the majority of our company having young families, they are able to work while still being able to be supportive wives, husbands, and parents.  The combination of the exciting work we do here at a|i|m while also being able to see your family more often has proven to be one of my favorite things about our company.  The ever important balance between work and family is understood at a|i|m and we are proud to offer our employees the option of teleworking!

Brooks Tolbert is account coordinator at a|i|m Marketing Solutions.

During Georgia Telework Week, watch this space for other guest blog posts from Clean Air Campaign employer partners and commuters who appreciate that sometimes the best commute is the one we don't have to make.

I have a confession: I never thought that I would like teleworking. I am one of those people who likes in-person interaction with my co-workers. But as the employee transportation coordinator at my office, I’ve tried to utilize the commute alternatives that I encourage everyone else to use. I carpooled for a while, but once I had children the carpool fell apart and I shifted back to my ride alone commute. The guilt set in. To offset the impacts of all those single occupancy vehicle trips, three years ago I decided to start teleworking two days a week. Wow! I was amazed at how much I enjoyed it.

My mornings are so much less stressful with not having to check traffic conditions before I head out the door. On my telework days, I get the kids off to school and my workday starts about an hour and half earlier than on my days in the office. I’m less rushed, with no clothes to iron and only a 20-foot commute from the kitchen. I can work uninterrupted, and I am more productive on those days. Phone messages are delivered to my e-mail inbox, and instant messaging and video conferencing take the place of the in-person interactions. I still feel just as connected and responsive as when I was in the office full-time. I can also still work if we have extreme weather conditions like our occasional snow day (or snow week) that we see in Atlanta. 
 
My wallet and the environment have also benefitted from my teleworking. With gasoline around $3.50 a gallon, even my two days of teleworking a week has shifted my once weekly fill-up to almost once every two weeks. I know that my telecommute is helping to reduce the impact on our air quality and our environment and am proud to work for CH2M HILL, a company that strongly promotes full-time and part-time telworking as a method to reduce its environmental impact.

Last year teleworkers at CH2M HILL avoided 1,377 tons of CO2 emissions by eliminating their daily commute. Teleworking has worked out great for my family too. It allows me to be flexible to attend events at my children’s schools during the day and still make planned meetings and conference calls for work. No more rushing out of work early to make it to an afterschool event. I can still work a full day and make it to the children’s afterschool club meetings and lessons.

Melanie Wiggins is a biologist based out of CH2M HILL’s Atlanta office, where she has been the employee transportation coordinator for 10 years. She has been with CH2M HILL for 15 years. In that time, she’s gotten to work by single occupancy vehicle, carpool, train, and teleworked. She’s even had some boat rides to work when doing biology field work. Yes, they were great commutes! 

During Georgia Telework Week, watch this space for other guest blog posts from Clean Air Campaign employer partners and commuters who appreciate that sometimes the best commute is the one we don't have to make.

Here in Atlanta, 1.6 million people commute to work every day, and nearly 50 percent of those folks have commutes that take more than 30 minutes.

At Georgia Power and Southern Company, we have a program called SmartRide that promotes alternative commuting options and flexible work schedules. It's a great way for our employees to cut their driving expenses and time spent in traffic while improving the quality of our environment.

Georgia Telework Week is this week (Sept. 12-16), and telecommuting is one of the key aspects of our SmartRide program. Altogether, we have more than 800 employees who telework in one form or another. Some do it full-time, others do it part-time, and we have employees whose jobs are more suited for teleworking occasionally. It's a decision that involves each employee and his or her manager or supervisor.

In addition to telecommuting, SmartRide encourages employees to use alternative transportation. The company provides subsidies for employees who carpool, vanpool or use public transportation. Not only that:

• We provide a corporate shuttle between our two downtown Atlanta locations and the closest transit station. The shuttle runs continuously every workday between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.
• We make fuel-efficient loaner vehicles available for SmartRiders to use during the day for business and personal reasons.
• We provide employees a guaranteed ride home in emergency or unscheduled overtime situations.

Our SmartRide program also asks employees to consider whether a compressed schedule might work for them (for example, working four 10-hour days each week) or whether they can stagger their work hours so they're not commuting downtown during peak times.

The driving force behind SmartRide is improving the quality of the air we breathe. That’s why our company has joined many others around Atlanta in support of The Clean Air Campaign. We’re encouraging employee participation in SmartRide, we're tightening power plant emissions, and we’re increasing our fleet of alternative-fuel vehicles.

Already, our employees in the SmartRide program avoid driving 1.3 million miles each month, which equates to more than 62 tons of emissions not being released into the atmosphere every year.

I could go on and on about the environmental benefits of SmartRide. But think about how it would be less stressful to eliminate all, most or some of the time you spend behind the wheel.

Think about how much money you could save on gas and wear and tear on your car if you weren't always driving solo to work.

Think about how productive you could be working from home and how much easier it would be to balance your work and personal time if you could negotiate a telework schedule with your supervisor.

We think SmartRide is a pretty smart choice.

Kirby Stough is manager of facilities planning and projects at Georgia Power.

During Georgia Telework Week, watch this space for other guest blog posts from Clean Air Campaign employer partners and commuters who appreciate that sometimes the best commute is the one we don't have to make.

When it comes to having a more productive workday and saving money, the best commute is the one that employees don't have to make.  That's the idea behind the second-annual Georgia Telework Week, which takes place September 12-16, 2011. 

Governor signs 2011 Georgia Telework Week proclamation. 

From L-R: Mark Telling, The Clean Air Campaign; Mini Smith, Delta Air Lines; Melissa Levine, Vocalocity; Governor Nathan Deal; Jennifer Kennington, State Personnel Administration; Angie Ballard, State Personnel Administration; Allison Tanner, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Mike Williams, The Clean Air Campaign.

The week is a celebration of the success of the Georgia employers who embrace telework as a business strategy.  It's also a call to action for those employers who remain on the fence about establishing a telework program. 

There are lots of ways employers can take part in Georgia Telework Week, but here are the three biggest opportunities:

1.  Simply show support for the concept of telework as a strategy that makes business sense.  Last year, some 150 Georgia employers indicated their support.  Organizations that sign up will be recognized on The Clean Air Campaign website and in a special print ad to be published later in September in the Atlanta Business Chronicle.  Want to become an employer of choice?  Get on the list of organizations supporting Georgia Telework Week.

2.  RSVP to attend the first-ever Georgia Telework Summit on Thursday, September 15, 2011, featuring panelists and presenters from Coca-Cola Refreshments, UPS, Assurant, Vocalocity, U.S. Dept. of Labor, Georgia Department of Corrections and other organizations that are finding success with telework.  There is no cost to attend.  Whether you have a program in place or are seeking to establish a new program, you'll walk away with ideas you can fold into your operational strategy.

3.  Request a meeting with The Clean Air Campaign's nationally-acclaimed telework team to help start or expand telework at your organization.  The Clean Air Campaign has worked at no cost with more than 250 Georgia employers, providing consulting support, assessment, policy templates, training and evaluation services.  

Commuters can get in on the act, too. 
If you are a teleworker, tell us what telework has done to improve your commute.  Commuter Rewards participants can also log their telework days the week of September 12-16 for the chance to win additional $25 prizes.  And if you're one of the 245,000 Atlanta commuters who believes your job function would be appropriate for telework but hasn't yet received the green light from your boss, we can help you make the case. 

Across the state, the lines continue to blur between work and home, thanks to abundant broadband access and the realization that it's not about where work gets done ... it's about getting work done.  More than 600,000 Georgia commuters are teleworking at least occasionally, up 20% since 2007.  How much longer will others be content to hop in the car and drive from their home computer to their work computer?