Benefits of Sustainable Commuting
The Commute Options initiative aims to reduce the number of single-occupancy vehicle commute trips in Memphis while increasing the usage of transit, carpooling, bicycling, and walking to work. But why should you consider alternative modes of commuting? Here are some alternative modes of commuting and some of the benefits of each.
Alternative modes of transportation
Public Transit - MATA provides a bus service throughout the city of Memphis and a trolley service in Downtown Memphis
Carpooling and Vanpooling - finding like minded individuals, along a relatively direct route, traveling in the same direction who choose to ride together in the same vehicle.
Cycling - Bicycle or electric (e-bikes)
Walking
There are a variety of benefits to utilizing alternative modes of transportation. Your personal health, finances, and the community as well as the environment all benefit from alternative commuting options.
Transportation Evolved has created a calculator to determine your cost of commuting. Everyone loves to save money. Using this calculator, you can plug in your daily commute mileage, as well as other expenses related to driving such as car payments and parking costs, to determine what you spend each month and each year to commute. You can also adjust costs or mileage to see how much you can save if you utilize alternative modes of transportation. An added bonus to saving money is that the less wear and tear on your car, the longer you can extend the life of your vehicle.
Using alternative modes of transportation also contributes to job growth across a variety of industries. It requires the expertise of designers and engineers who are responsible for infrastructure and implementation of plans. Technological industries grow through the development of ways to make alternate commute options more accessible, reliable and relevant. Job growth opportunities continue to extend to the operators of buses, bike shop owners, mechanics, and others who are essential to the day-to-day operation of alternative transportation.
More people using alternative modes of transportation means less cars on the road, decreasing not only emissions but congestion on roadways. Improving the flow of traffic leaves fewer people stranded, wasting their time stuck in traffic. Fewer traffic jams lead to less road emissions polluting our airways. According to the Memphis Area Climate Action Plan Annual report for 2022, transportation accounts for 39% of greenhouse gas emissions in the city of Memphis. The Transportation percentage includes aviation, on-road, railway, and waterborne navigation, with on-road transportation responsible for over 4 times the emissions produced by aviation travel in Memphis. The skies deserve a reduction in emissions.
Everyone knows that walking, biking, and being generally active are good for your health. Have you ever considered that reducing the number of miles driven also reduces the number of motor vehicle crashes? Improved traffic flow also reduces stress and fatigue on drivers during commutes by shortening commute times and mental exertion. Even walking between commute stops if you don’t choose to walk for your full commute promotes physical activity and contributes to overall well being.
There are a variety of commuting options and benefits to the environment, community, and your personal health. Are there any options that we missed? Would you like more information about using alternative commuting options? Visit our website to get connected, discover Memphis area initiatives and transportation services at https://commuteoptionsmemphis.com/ and be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.