At its March 1 and 14 meetings, the Vehicle Access and Alternative Transportation Advisory Group worked on a proposal to increase incentives for carpooling. The advisory group also discussed a new bike-trailer program that could improve shuttle services for bicyclists; an updated commuter survey; and low-tech, affordable methods to count cars and passengers entering the Lab.
Advisory group member Pat Jung presented a draft proposal for a carpooling pilot that would allow carpools of two or more Lab employees to park in Blue Triangle spaces. The pilot program would use employees’ existing parking permit hangtags, and would not require a fee. The draft proposal will also consider the advantages of using casual carpooling apps, such as Carma and Scoop. The group will continue to refine their proposal based on continued feedback.
Kory Porter, the Lab’s Fleet Manager, addressed the advisory group on March 14. He reported that the Lab is developing a pilot program for a bike trailer that will transport 12 to 16 bicycles at a time. (The Lab shuttle buses carry up to eight bikes.)
Allison Huey reported that the advisory group’s communications subcommittee is working with Patrick Thorson, Program Manager for the Lab’s Environmental Management System, to resurvey employees’ commuting patterns, needs, and challenges. “Given recent changes that have happened at the Lab, such as the opening of major new research buildings, plus typical employee turnover and office moves, new survey information is critical for decision making,” says Thorson, who led the last commuter survey effort in 2014. The new survey is targeted for release in late spring 2016.
Operations announced that the Lab is exploring affordable, low-tech methods to count vehicles and vehicle occupants entering the Lab. (The security guards counted vehicles and passengers during a five-day pilot the week of March 14. Were you counted?) The results from this pilot program will help the Lab prepare for the loss of nearly 300 parking spaces this summer, at which time construction for the Integrative Genomics Building is scheduled to begin in the old Bevatron lot.
– By Theresa Duque
