Client:  South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority

The Need

The South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority, better known as TransLink, supports Metro Vancouver’s environmental sustainability objectives by encouraging the reduction of single occupant vehicle commuting trips through its TravelSmart Program.  Over the short term, TransLink was challenged with the need to reduce traffic levels by at least 30% for 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Project Description

Telework had been identified as an important component of TransLink’s strategy.  A pilot project was initiated to determine how to best promote and support teleworking in the region.  Kim Walker and Kathy Goddard collaborated in the design and implementation of the pilot.  Kathy designed and managed the pilot project which included local employer case study profiles, an information resource kit, and on-going support to three companies over six months.  Kim designed and implemented a project evaluation to: a) measure the environmental, social and financial effects of the telework activities, b) identify employers’ and employees’ needs with respect to developing and participating in telework activities, and c) identify ways in which TransLink can support teleworking through ongoing client services.

Services & Deliverables

Kim was involved early in the project to develop the evaluation framework.  Baseline data was collected and data collection tools were integrated into the telework activities.  Interviews, feedback forms, pre- and post- online surveys, the Teletrips tracking tool, and teleworker journals were used to collect qualitative and quantitative data.  Kim produced a final report on the evaluation results for TransLink. Major findings included the benefits, challenges and experiences from the perspectives of teleworkers and supervisors; the benefits of teleworking for transportation demand management; and the utility of information; and training resources provided through the pilot. Reports for the participating companies were also developed to support their telework programs.

Accomplishments

  1. Evaluation results showed significant productivity and personal benefits for the teleworkers, as well as average round trip reductions of 125km per teleworker.
  2. The pilot enabled TransLink to promote teleworking as part of their “Move the World” 2010 Winter Olympic strategy, and successfully reduced traffic levels by 36%.
  3. McKesson Medical Imaging is among the many corporations that have since adopted teleworking as an ongoing program.
  4. Information resources developed for the pilot project are available in the Business section of Travelsmart.ca.