From UVAToday (LINK)
Ethan Heil and Patrick Clark
Heil, an energy and sustainability engineer for Facilities Management, and Clark, an alternative transportation and innovation manager for Parking and Transportation, submitted their idea to launch a “commute club” incentive program. The club would promote and encourage alternative commuting, such as carpooling, remote working, cycling, walking and public transit.
In addition to added health benefits and enhanced sense of community, the club would offer incentives to staff to choose a more sustainable commute, including financial support, points, bonus-reward parking spots, reserved parking for club members, shared parking spots and more.
The idea will support the University’s sustainability plan and good-neighbor effort by reducing fuel emissions and money spent on fuel by commuters. Long-term impacts could include reduced expenses for alternative commuters, as well as decreased traffic and congestion in the Charlottesville area.
“The ‘Hoos Making an Impact’ competition is a unique opportunity to identify and fund University-wide initiatives that address sustainability and staff success,” Heil and Clark wrote. “It’s an honor for our proposal to be selected as a winner and to have the chance to turn this idea into reality.”
The duo said alternative commutes tend to be cheaper, less stressful and easier on the environment, but it can be difficult for commuters to change habits. “The UVA Commute Club would provide a one-stop shop to help commuters find easy, affordable ways to skip the drive to work, even if it’s a day or two each week.”