Commute Trip Reduction

What is Commute Trip Reduction?

Washington State's Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) Law was passed by the Legislature in 1991 with the goals to improve air quality, reduce traffic congestion, and reduce the consumption of petroleum fuels through employer-based programs that encourage the use of alternatives to driving alone.

Alternatives include riding the bus or train, carpooling, vanpooling, bicycling, walking, working a compressed work week or teleworking. 

How the CTR Law is Working?

• CTR continues to perform, removing 28,000 vehicles from Washington roadways every weekday morning in 2009.
• CTR reduced 12,900 hours of delay in the Central Puget Sound Regional in 2009, saving $99 million for the region in congestion costs due to lost time and wasted fuel
• Statewide, CTR reduced 62 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT) annually, equivalent to 27,490 metric ton of greenhouse gasses and three millions gallons of fuel.
• Each morning peak traveler in Central Puget Sound saved $59 in 2009 due to the increased system efficiency provided through the CTR program.

What is a CTR Survey?

CTR-affected worksites must conduct a measure of employee commute behavior every two years to determine progress toward CTR goals. They are also required to conduct a baseline measure of employee commutes within 90 days of becoming affected by the CTR Law.

What is an Employee Transportation Coordinator (ETC)?

The CTR law requires affected employers to appoint an "Employee Transportation Coordinator" (ETC) to implement, promote and administer the CTR Program on an ongoing basis.