511 Contra Costa

511 Contra Costa is a comprehensive transportation demand management (TDM) program that implements vehicle trip reduction and air quality programs on behalf of the local jurisdictions in Contra Costa County, California. The programs promote alternatives to the single-occupant vehicle.

Funding and oversight

Funding for 511 Contra Costa programs are provided primarily by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s Transportation Fund for Clean Air, a voter-approved local county ½ cent transportation sales tax, and Federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program funds from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.

511 Contra Costa implements programs on behalf of all of the cities in Contra Costa and the County. Oversight for the programs are provided by four Contra Costa Regional Transportation Planning Committees (RTPCs). The four Regional Transportation Planning Committees are; Southwest Area Transportation Committee (representing southwest Contra Costa): Transportation Partnership and Cooperation (TRANSPAC, representing central Contra Costa): TRANSPLAN Committee(Coordinating the transportation interests of east Contra Costa): and the West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee (WCCTAC, representing west Contra Costa) and the Contra Costa Transportation Authority.

History

In 1992 each jurisdiction had Growth Management Program requirements as a result of the legislation that was passed by voters in 1998 as part of the local county half-cent sales tax for transportation peojcts and Congestion Management Program (statewide gas tax passed in 1991) requirements written in local Transportation Demand Management Ordinances.

The 511 Contra Costa TDM program has evolved over the years from what began as primarily an employer-based vehicle trip reduction program to include a broader range of services including youth transportation reduction programs and community-based programs aimed at reducing Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) and transportation related greenhouse gas emissions reductions programs.

Programs

Services provided to all Contra Costa cities and the County include: procurement and installation of bicycle racks, lockers and eLockers; procurement and installation of electric charging stations; funding towards the purchase of electric plug-in vehicles for municipal fleets; development and deployment of pilot shuttle services to assist economic development and promotion of downtown businesses; Climate Action Plan reports on green house gas emissions from TDM programs; participation in city/county sponsored events, assistance with special projects related to sustainable transportation education and outreach.

School Programs

511 Contra Costa provides infrastructure, education, safety and multi-modal transportation programs for schools. Specific programs called SchoolPool and Pool to School provide carpool ridematching and free transit tickets to school-aged children in order to help reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality around school sites. The Lamorinda School Bus Program provides school bus service to the elementary and middle schools in Lafayette, California, Moraga, California and Orinda, California. TRAFFIX is a limited subscription-based school bus program that serves seven schools in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District area. Public bus passes are provided on a limited basis to select children in West Contra Costa who qualify for the Federally subsidized school lunch program. Other school-related programs include procurement of bicycle racks and skateboard racks;”Walk and Roll” to school bicycle/pedestrian promotions; and educational materials are provided to promote awareness vehicle trips.

Recently, 511 Contra Costa built a 31-Day transportation activity wheel and a children’s book called Why Don’t Hydrogen Cars Fly Away?

College Programs

College Campus Vehicle Trip Reduction Programs include discounted universal student transit passes, the provision of bike lockers and racks, on-site transit events and carpool and mass transit incentive programs.

Employer Services

Employer Services: 511 Contra Costa provides services to employers to promote the use of all commute alternatives. Services include employee travel behavior surveys, carpool and vanpool ridematching, parking management plans, implementation of trip reduction and air quality campaigns such as Spare the Air and Bike to Work Day, procurement of bicycle racks and lockers at employment sites, participation at health and transportation onsite fairs, assistance with the Bay Area Green Business Certification eligibility checklist, a Guaranteed Ride Home program, telework program development, and individualized public transit trip plans for employees.

Community Outreach

511 Contra Costa's website provides transportation news and traffic alerts via Twitter and RSS, and continual air quality forecasts (also available through an iPhone app). 511 Contra Costa also participates at local community events such as Earth Day, Farmers' Markets, Art and Wine Festivals and coordinates Bike to Work Day promotions in Contra Costa County. Finally, the organization provides bike trail and park and ride maps for any interested party.

References

Contra Costa Times

"Breakfast of Champs", November 23, 2009

"Walnut Creek News Briefs Nov. 12 - New bike lockers at city hall", October 1, 2009

"Program Gives Commuters Incentive to Use Two Wheels", April 29, 2007

"Shuttle Shopping to Downtown Pleasant Hill Locale", October 29, 2009

"Martinez Promotes Climate Awareness", June 24, 2009

"Budget Woes May Imperil Bus Line", June 23, 2009

"Drivers Getting Juiced", June 11, 2009

"Commuter Bikers Explode on Scene", May 27, 2009

"Richmond Team is Best in Biking", June 10, 2007

"Big Prizes Announced for Rideshare Week", September 18, 2009

"Recumbent Commute", May 15, 2009

"Cycling Suggestions (Editorial)", May 27, 2009

KPIX TV

"Bike to Work Day An Everyday Challenge For Orinda Man", May 16, 2007

Biking Bis Magazine

"Bicycle Commuting Pays in One California County", April 8, 2009

External links

• 511 Contra Costa