The economic and environmental costs of transportation can be high for your business and your employees. There are many ways to lessen the impact of your business' transportation choices, including greening your company fleet, providing commuting alternatives and flexible work hours to employees, educating employees about green driving practices, and greening your company's out-of-town travel.
The following list of green transportation tips will get your company started down the right road.
Get Started
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Measure your fuel use and emissions. Share the information with your employees and set reduction goals.
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Improve your vehicle selection by selecting hybrids, or the smallest, most fuel efficient vehicle for the job.
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Increase fuel efficiency by not idling, driving less aggressively and slowing down.
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Combine and plan your trips to reduce miles driven.
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Properly maintain your business' vehicles - including performing timely oil changes, checking tire inflation, and other routine maintenance that boosts fuel economy.
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Consider committing to purchasing Carbon Offsets to green all business travel.
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When possible, use teleconferences or web conferences rather than traveling.
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Give incentives such as parking space buy-outs for employees who use public transportation, carpool, or ride their bikes to work.
If possible, provide bike storage, showers, and changing facilities for employees who bike to work.
Local Resources and Organizations
Central Indiana Commuter Services (CICS)
Central Indiana Commuter Services is a federally funded IndyGo service federally aimed at reducing air pollution and traffic congestion. CICS offers a variety of commuting solutions to area employees and employers. CICS services for Employers can be found here.
IndyGo, the Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation, is an excellent resource for employers wanting to provide the best possible commuting information to its employees. Sign up for the IndyGo newsletter and receive information on new services, route changes, special events, and promotions.
Hoosiers on the Move: The Indiana State Trails, Greenways and Bikeways Plan
This full-text document outlines a statewide plan to achieve the vision of building a statewide trail, greenway and bikeway system that provides access to a trail opportunity within 15 minutes of all Indiana citizens.
Central Indiana Clean Cities Alliance
Clean Cities is a U.S. Department of Energy sponsored program promoting alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) and fuels at the grassroots level to improve our nation's air quality and lessen our dependence on foreign oil. CICCA was designated as a Clean Cities Coalition in 1999.
Central Indiana Clean Air Partnership (CICAP)
Started in August of 2007, CICAP was developed to give businesses an active role in promoting local air quality. Currently over 80 businesses and organizations have committed themselves at varying levels to the CICAP program.
- CICAP Employee Commuting information
Resources include information on local commuting options and sample policies and programs aimed at reducing commuting travel, such as alternative work schedule, office flextime, and telecommuting.
- CICAP Business Fleet Initiatives
Resources include information and sample policies on vehicle idling and idle reduction, vehicle maintenance, fueling, and alternative fuel vehicles.
Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority (CIRTA)
Created by state statute in 2004, CIRTA's mission is to develop a comprehensive system of transportation alternatives for Central Indiana residents.
Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)
The Indianapolis MPO is the local body responsible for conducting a continuing, cooperative and comprehensive transportation planning process.
Indiana Office of Energy and Defense (OED)
Includes information on Indiana policy and incentives to create and use alternative fuels
Indiana Biofuels Pump Locator Map
Use this map to locate biofuel pumps within Marion County, and across Indiana.
INBikePort has bike lockers for 42 bikes in downtown Indianapolis. Lockers are accessible via cell phone and are free to use. More information and a map of locker locations is available on their website.
The Indiana Bicycle Coalition seeks to create a bicycle friendly Indiana through Promotion, Education and Advocacy.
The Indianapolis Cultural Trail is an urban bike and pedestrian path that connects neighborhoods, Cultural Districts and entertainment amenities, and serves as the downtown hub for the entire central Indiana greenway system. The Cultural Trail is made possible by a large public and private collaboration led by Central Indiana Community Foundation, the City of Indianapolis and several not-for-profit organizations.
The Greenways Foundation is a charitable trust working to promote the growth, enhancement and use of Indiana greenways.
A partner website of indygreenways.com, Indiana Trails is an excellent source of news and information about Indiana trails and greenways.
Other Resources and Organizations
Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)
- EDF Smart Driving Tips
This website provides clear guidance on how we can use less fuel, reduce emissions and save money by driving smarter. - EDF guide to greener corporate fleets
This printable guide provides businesses a 5-step roadmap to lowering costs, fuel use and emissions by creating a cleaner corporate fleet. - EDF Hybrid Truck Financial Incentives Guide
This EDF guide offers information on various financial incentive programs to support the purchase of hybrid trucks.
Earth911.com for Business: Conference Calls
Earth 911 examines the pros and cons of using conference calls to reduce the need for workplace travel, and provides information on several web conferencing services.
This website offers comprehensive green driving tips, and a short educational video on driving more efficiently to save fuel, which may be suitable for employee education and training. The website also includes maintenance tips, an ecodriving calculator tool, and educational materials such as an ecodriver manual, tipsheet, and printable poster.
Use this guide to choose the cleanest and most fuel-efficient vehicles that meet your organization's needs.
King County, WA: How to start a commuter benefit program
Information from King County, WA Metro Transit on how a business can develop a commuter incentive program for its employees. Information on a wide variety of options is provided.
US Department of Energy (DOE)
- DOE Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center
This website is a comprehensive clearinghouse of information and resources to enable the use of alternative fuels, in addition to other fossil fuel reduction options such as advanced vehicles, fuel blends, idle reduction, and fuel economy. National trend analysis, funding opportunities, and an incentives and laws database are included. - DOE Clean Cities Program
The DOE Clean Cities program supports local decisions to adopt practices that contribute to the reduction of fossil fuel consumption. The Clean Cities website includes information, resources, and financial opportunities.
Greening Your Company's Business Travel
A GreenBiz article examining challenges and opportunities to greening business travel.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center
The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) is a national clearinghouse for information about health and safety, engineering, advocacy, education, enforcement, access, and mobility for pedestrians (including transit users) and bicyclists.
