Calgary, Cochrane, CRAZ

Why?Why?  Estimated 16 million cars on the road in Canada  Of these 80 percent occupied only by their driver  Estimated 30,000,000 empty seats driven to work each day

Carpool Benefits Save the Environment: Fewer trips = fewer emissions Save Time: Fewer cars = less congestion Save Money: Reduced commuting costs (fuel, parking, maintenance) Move more people in fewer cars to reduce infrastructure and societal costs associated with vehicle use ($.31km)

Carpool.ca was created to help commuters identify potential carpool partners The system is free, secure and easy to use Registration is not a commitment – it is an exploration of options. The Tool:

Carpool.ca Match Report 1 Commuters create a Profile: identifying their commuting habits and preferences. Commuters request a ‘match list’: a list of users that the system has determined to be compatible based on the information provided. The report plots matches on a map along with contact information and trip details. Two Match List types are available: The origin/destination match report illustrates matches based on home and work locations (shown at right).

Carpool.ca Match Report 2 The route match report shows matches along the user’s route.

Carpool.ca: Contact Matches Participants contact matches to assess personal compatibility, compare needs and availability using messaging system.

Carpool.ca: Trip Tracker 1. Participant can use the optional Trip Tracker Calendar to track trips of all modes to measure GHG savings (below). 2. Reports are available to measure savings resulting from tracked trips. Savings can be measured by individual, employer/destination region (right).

Carpool.ca: Calgary Stats  3256 current registered participants  716 are traveling from outside Calgary

Carpool.ca partners with governments, employers, post-secondary institutions and other stakeholders to engage commuters. Outreach provided to stakeholder partners to support promotional efforts. Promotional materials are supplied to groups as requested. Annual promotions : - Carpool Week (October) - Match Madness (March) Engaging Commuters: Outreach and Promotion

Facebook, Twitter, Google+, YouTube and Pinterest are used to increase program awareness and participation. Facebook page is used to share stats, facts, event information. Promotional messages broadcast daily through Twitter. Carpool.ca application now generates New #Carpool Alerts through Twitter (see right). Engaging Commuters: Social Media

Regional Participation According to Stats Canada: Town of Okotoks 42.9% population increase from 17,145 in 2006 to 23,981 in 2011 Town of Cochrane 27.8% population increase from 13,760 in 2006 to 17,580 in 2011

Regional Participation This chart compares Carpool.ca participants per 1000 persons (scale on the right in red) overlaid with a line indicating distance from Calgary’ city centre in km (scale on the left in blue). Interest in carpooling increases with distance. As distance increases the difficulty to find a carpool match can inhibit carpooling, likely as a result of smaller populations resulting in lower number of compatible partners available.

Potentials Savings

How to Increase Participation Promote carpooling and to community groups and public. Information and links on community web sites. Explore opportunities for road signage in Cochrane. Engage social media community. Participate in Carpool.ca promotions such as Carpool Week (October) & Match Madness (March) Explore Park & Pool parking options when creating LRT locations

Regional Support Program funded by City of Calgary since 2001 and available to all commuting to Calgary. No charge to regional communities. 25% of Calgary Carpool.ca users travel from outside Calgary Support is needed from regional communities to increase program awareness, reduce traffic and emissions.