The Clean Air Campaign is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation that works collaboratively with a number of organizations as part of a regional, and increasingly statewide, public-private partnership. This partnership uses transportation demand management activities—such as carpool, telework and transit programs—to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality. Partners include:
Georgia Department of Transportation
The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) plans, constructs, maintains and improves the state’s roads and bridges for maximum operation and mobility; provides planning and financial support for other modes of transportation such as mass transit systems, rail and airports; and implements traffic congestion and air quality strategies in the Atlanta metro region, including HOV lanes, bike/ped and multi-use facilities, Bus Rapid Transit, HERO Units and the extensive NaviGAtor traveler information system. Through the Department’s Air Quality Branch, GDOT manages the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement funding for the State of Georgia and is responsible for ensuring that CMAQ dollars are used efficiently. To achieve this objective, an annual independent research and measurement process is in place for all TDM projects, including those of The Clean Air Campaign and the region’s transportation management associations.
Georgia Environmental Protection Division, Air Protection Branch
The Air Protection Branch of the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) is responsible for protecting Georgia's air quality through the regulation of emissions from industrial, mobile and area sources. The Branch also monitors levels of air pollutants throughout the state and provides that information to the public through The Clean Air Campaign’s Smog Alert system, on The Clean Air Campaign’s Web site, and its own Web site (www.georgiaair.org). EPD is responsible for the development of the State Implementation Plan (SIP), required by the federal Clean Air Act to provide for implementation of air quality measures. These plans lay out measures to inventory air pollution sources and to establish limits on emissions in order to meet air pollution standards.
Atlanta Regional Commission
The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is the regional planning and intergovernmental coordination agency for an 18-county metropolitan area. ARC adopts a 25-year Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and a six-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) containing programs and projects aimed at improving transportation services in the Atlanta region. An integral part of planning and programming is applying Transportation Demand Management (TDM) strategies to improve performance of the transportation system by using existing infrastructure more efficiently. ARC’s TDM Division manages the RideSmart service (www.MyRideSmart.com) which matches commuters with potential carpool partners and provides vanpool information. The TDM Division also administers the Guaranteed Ride Home program, which provides commuters who carpool, vanpool, bike or use transit with up to five rides home or to their car from work each year if an unexpected event occurs. These two services, ridematching and Guaranteed Ride Home, are two of the primary services that The Clean Air Campaign and transportation management associations use to promote the use of commute alternatives at workplaces throughout the metro Atlanta region.
Georgia Regional Transportation Authority
The Georgia Regional Transportation Authority is the State of Georgia authority charged with improving Georgia's mobility, air quality and land use practices. GRTA partners with state and regional agencies to prioritize transportation plans and programs, measure the effectiveness of programs, and operate transit and vanpool programs. Such programs include Xpress commuter coach, the GRTA Regional Vanpool Program and C-Tran and local bus service for Clayton County. GRTA issues an annual Air Quality Report, used to evaluate the region’s progress in meeting air quality attainment.
Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
The 4,000-member strong Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce (MACOC) focuses on issues that matter most to the business community, including mobility and traffic congestion. In 1997, MACOC created the Metro Atlanta Transportation Initiative (MATI), a region-wide task force of business, academic and environmental leaders to propose a regional approach to transportation planning. It led to the development of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority and the Atlanta Regional Commission's aspiration-based transportation plan. Over the years, MACOC has provided guidance and support to The Clean Air Campaign’s employer outreach program, board development and fundraising plans.