Ridesharing rates have remained stable at mid-sized Southland firms, even though they are no longer required by AQMD to have ridesharing or other vehicle emission reduction programs.
Although ridesharing has remained fairly constant at those firms, it has not met the target projected in the 1997 Air Quality Management Plan, resulting in an emissions reduction shortfall.
Those are the conclusions of a 1999 study of nearly 100 work sites with 100-249 employees, conducted for AQMD by Haug International of Los Angeles.
Under AQMD's Rule 2202, all work sites with 100 to 249 employers were required to reduce vehicle emissions through rideshare programs, car scrapping projects or payment to AQMD's Air Quality Investment Program. The state Legislature has exempted those employers from the rule since Jan. 1, 1997. Work sites with 250 or more employees still are subject to the measure.
In 1997, work sites with 100 to 249 employees -- which had previously implemented rideshare programs under Rule 2202 -- had an Average Vehicle Ridership of 1.28, meaning that about 13 employees rode in every 10 vehicles arriving at work. The Average Vehicle Ridership at those work sites dipped slightly to 1.23 in 1998 and rose slightly to 1.30 in 1999, according to the study.
One possible reason why Average Vehicle Ridership among the firms has remained fairly constant is because rideshare incentives are considered desirable employee benefits and firms have chosen to voluntarily continue them.
Part of AQMD's clean air plan counts on work sites with 100 or more employees increasing their Average Vehicle Ridership each year toward a goal of 1.5. Since firms with 100 to 249 employees are no longer regulated, their AVR has not risen as previously projected, causing a shortfall in the reduction of smog-forming emissions and carbon monoxide. The shortfall may be eliminated by taking credit for excess emission reductions from this year's Mobile Source Emissions Reduction Review Committee (MSRC) program.
For more information, contact Bob Kneisel (909) 396-3199.
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This page updated: March 01, 2004
URL: http://www.aqmd.gov/news1/Haug_study.htm