TDM Toolbox

Subsector: Trip Reduction Programs (Employer Sponsored)
Introduce Competitions and Rewards
VMT Reduction Potential: 2
Cost: 2
ROI: 2
TAM Relevancy: 4
Land Use Content: Urban, Suburban, Rural
Trip Type: Commute
Scale: Site
Timing: Short Term (1-3 years)
Implementors-Private: Campus Developers: Medical, Schools, and Offices, Developers (Employment), Educational Institutions, Property Managers, Transportation Management Associations (TMAs)/Transportation Management Organizations (TMOs)
Eligibility Status: Feasible, Currently Exist, Implementable/Expandable, Applicable Funding

Description

Competitions and reward programs use incentives to reduce single-occupancy vehicle trips by encouraging walking, biking, transit, carpooling, or vanpooling. Participants earn points, prizes, or recognition by participating in non-SOV trips and competing individually or in teams.

Implementation Details

  • Design and launch time‑limited commute challenges and ongoing rewards programs that incentivize non‑SOV trips.
  • Offer meaningful incentives/rewards and recognition for high participation in commute trip reductions.
  • Promote competitions through employers and community organizations to encourage team or personal participation.

Mitigation Potential

Competitions and rewards programs are effective at encouraging trial of active transportation modes, breaking SOV oriented habits, and reinforcing new travel behaviors over time.

For more details, see Victoria Transport Policy Institute – Financial Incentives for VMT reduction quantification.

Linked Strategies

Equity Considerations

Programs can be structed to include any form of non-SOV trips to ensure participants that have limited travel options can benefit from the competition or rewards. Focusing on voluntary travel behavior changes avoids disproportionately impacting lower-income communities.

Funding Sources

Funding sources for competitions and rewards include local transportation sale tax measures, CMAQ funding, and employer contributions.

Implemented in TAM Area

Current TDM Implementation

Marin Commutes online portal allows commuters to log “green trips” (walking, biking, transit, carpooling, or vanpooling) to compete with friends and earn up to $500 per year in rewards. Special events like the annual Bike to Wherever Day, Bike Month in May, and the Bike Bay Area Challenge are promoted by various agencies and nonprofits to encourage alternative modes of transportation.

TDM Benefit Locations

Cities and agencies can expand partnerships and events in their communities to gamify and reward active transportation use and sustainable mode shifts. Creating incentives for employers to encourage green commuting can be especially beneficial to motivate mode shifts.