Metropolitan Washington Region 2002 Vanpool Survey

1. Technical CommitteeItem # 8 Metropolitan Washington Region 2002 Vanpool Survey TPB Technical Committee Meeting April 4, 2002

2. What is a Vanpool? • A vanpool is generally defined as a group of 7 to 15 people who commute together on a regular basis in a van • Vanpools can be owned by an individuals or leased from private agencies • Vanpool riders are eligible for a US Federal tax code “transportation benefit” if: • the vanpool has a 6+ adult seating capacity, not including the driver • at least 80% of the vanpool’s mileage is for commuting purposes • the number commuters in the vanpool is at least ½ the seating capacity

3. Why Vanpooling is Important • Vanpooling is an extremely efficient mode for long distance commuting. • One vanpool takes as many as 14 cars off the road. Fewer cars on the road means less traffic congestion and pollution. • Vanpooling cuts driving stress and saves commuters money. If HOV lanes are used, vanpools can also reduce commuting times. • Vanpooling assists employers in recruiting employees, improving morale and reducing tardiness. • Vanpools are generally long-lived commuting arrangements. • Experience shows that once a vanpool is up and running, it is likely to continue to operate for many years. • Vanpooling requires little public subsidy.

4. 2002 Vanpool Survey • Purpose: Analyze vanpooling practices and trends • Methodology: Mail-out/Mail-back with telephone follow-up survey of 736 vanpool operators/drivers • Response: 440 Completed surveys, 60% response rate

5. Survey Results – Vanpool Seating Capacity • 79% of the vanpools were 13-15 passenger vans. • 8% had a seat capacity of 8-12 passengers • 13% were 7 passenger mini-vans

6. Survey Results – Number of Regular Members • About half the vanpools surveyed had 12 or more regular members. • 13% of the vanpools currently had fewer than 7 regular members • Mean number of regular vanpool members was 10.7

7. Survey Results – Typical Weekday Occupancy • 29% of the vanpools carried 12 or more commuters on a a typical weekday • 20% of the vanpools carried fewer than 7 commuters • Mean number of commuters carried on a typical weekday was 9.5

8. Survey Results – Trip Length (Distance) • The average one-way distance from the vanpool driver’s home to work location was 48 miles. • The line-haul portion of the vanpool trip, from the last pick-up point to the first drop off point, was 39 miles.

9. Survey Results – Use of HOV • More than 3 out 4 vanpool drivers reported use of an HOV lane during their trip to work.

10. Survey Results – Vanpool Origins • 80% of the vanpools originated in Virginia • Greatest number of vanpools began in Stafford (237) followed by Prince William (135), Spotsylvania (65), Fairfax (42), Howard (31), Frederick (26), Anne Arundel (21), Prince George’s (21), Fauquier (21), Loudoun (18), Montgomery (16), and Baltimore (13).

11. Survey Results – Vanpool Destinations • 57% of the vanpools were destined to DC, 34% to Northern VA and 9% Suburban MD • Major vanpool destinations were: NW Washington (194), SW Washington (127), SE Washington (55), Alexandria (38), Pentagon (36), Crystal City (30), Rosslyn (25), McLean (23), Lexington Park (15), Carderock (14), Springfield (14), Fort Belvoir (13), Baileys Crossroads (13), Fairfax (10), and Reston (10).

12. Survey Results – Vanpooling Trends • Vanpooling declined in the 1990s both locally and nationally • Growth in commuter rail and commuter bus service, expansion of Metrorail to Springfield-Franconia and flexible alternative work schedules have had an impact on the number commuters who vanpool

13. Survey Results – Vanpool Issues of Concern • Finding new riders (3.0) • Congestion in HOV lanes (2.9) • Insurance costs (2.7) • Finding back-up drivers (2.6) • HOV hours too short (2.4) • Risk of rollover accidents (2.3)