The Way Back to the Workplace: Carpooling
At Livable Buckhead, our raison d’être is a sustainable and healthy neighborhood. As restrictions ease and commuters consider their physical return to the workplace, we’re looking at a landscape drastically transformed in both beneficial and harmful ways: 
The mental block around the concept of ‘remote work’ has for many organizations been broken and managers and commuters have lived some of the benefits long enough now that taking them away cold turkey is unthinkable. On the other hand, there is an emerging narrative in the US that single-occupancy-vehicle (SOV) commuting is the only safe commuting – a message that American auto makers are likely to embrace in marketing for as long as COVID-19 remains something to be feared.
If you took in any of the soothing news stories about wildlife returning to previously noisy highways, or satellite imagery of suddenly cleaner skies during the global shutdown, prepare for a return to our old problems if drive-everywhere-alone-every-day remains the norm. Parking decks and lots will be bursting at the seams, and [tinfoil hats on, people] in a worst-case-scenario: a vicious cycle of low transit ridership could kneecap the services that remain, leading to greater demand on roadways and parking than existed before. It’s not the future we want!
Below, I’m presenting some guidance on safer carpooling practices from our friends at ACT; guidelines for employers on how to support employees, and for employees on how to be safe.
Today: Carpooling
This will probably be the go-to for many former straphangers and is considered the lowest risk shared-ride. I’ve already done a very thorough blog about sanitation and distancing practices. For property managers et cetera looking for a solution to a looming parking crunch, this is your ace.
- Ridematching is key – Georgia Commute Options is the region’s official ridematch platform and is now baked into the ever-handy Georgia Commuter App which automatically tallies, traces, and pays out incentives.
- Consider Organized Carpooling– Companies like Enterprise can help too, and participants remain eligible for regional incentives through GCO.
- Communicate – Listen to employees concerns and let that inform commute plans. Broad adoption won’t be reached without honest conversation, so set yourself up for success.
- Prioritize Carpool Parking – This is one of the highest-impact, lowest cost plays in the book: A primo parking spot is always coveted; and makes an easy incentive for carpoolers. Enforcement and validation will keep this generating positive habits for a long time.
In terms of sanitary/social distancing practices:
- Maintain physical distance – Limit the number of persons, passenger and driver should be diagonal from each other, or as far apart as possible. No two-seaters!
- Face Masks Work – Studies are repeatedly confirming that even the simplest cloth face coverings work to contain the cloud of aerosols we exhale, drastically reducing transmission. Think of it as a courtesy to your fellow riders.
- Reduce Exposure – One of the best aspects of Carpooling is the consistency; try to ride with the same people every day and avoid variations.
- Limit Physical Contact – No touching, shaking hands, fighting over the radio dial! Stay separated and keep your hands to yourself!
In future installments I’ll discuss:
- Parking pricing
- Public Transit
- Telecommuting
