MPC Takes 3rd Place in Smart Trips 2011 Commuter Challenge

Each year the Metropolitan Planning Commission's Smart Trips program hosts a Commuter Challengeto increase awareness about alternative transportation options and encourage participation among local employers. Participants in the 2011 Commuter Challenge removed more than 359,000 pounds of CO2 emissions from the air and saved nearly $70,000 in fuel costs between May 1 and July 31.

The overall winner of the Commuter Challenge this year is the University of Tennessee, whose 100 participants removed more than 36,000 pounds of CO2 emissions during the Challenge. UT also finished first in its size category, 1,500-plus employees. Continuing its winning ways and exemplary participation in the Smart Trips program in 2011, UT was last year's Green Spirit Award winning organization.

This year's Green Spirit Award winner is Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which held three events during the summer to promote Smart Trips and also assisted its employees with organizing vanpools. ORNL saw a 75% increase in participation during the Challenge thanks to the efforts of its Employer Transportation Coordinator, Ed Bodey.

MPC had a strong showing in this year's Commuter Challenge, winning the 21 to 99 employees category and earning a third place spot in the Challenge overall. Other category winners are Elizabeth Eason Architecture in the 1 to 20 employees group (and the second-place finisher among all participating organizations); 21st Mortgage in the 100 to 399 employees category; and TVA in the 400 to 1,499 category.

Individual winners of prizes (generously provided by AAA Travel of East Tennessee, Magpies Bakery, Tomato Head, Smart Trips, Caf? 4, and Crowne Plaza Knoxville) are Daniel Pelfrey, ORNL; Daniel Dyer, City of Knoxville; Brian Pitcher, TVA; Angela Mayes, City of Knoxville; Chris Layton, ORNL; Emily Austin, UT; Ceris Hamilton, ORNL; Daniel Barrett, 21st Mortgage; Gary Warden, Kimberly Clark; Sam Bounds, Knox County; and, UT student Austin Milt.

Winners were recognized at a reception on September 13 at Latitude 35 on Market Square.

More information about the Commuter Challenge and the Smart Trips program is available on the Smart Trips website.

Posted 09-14-2011, written by Alisa Ashouri