Question #3: “What were your primary strategies for saving VMT during the
study?”
The majority of participants claimed to have a strategy when they started the study
(87.5%). The following strategies were the most common responses given by participants:
• Reduced number of trips/trip chaining
• Carpooling
• Public transportation
• Biking/walking to work
• Telecommuting
Question #4: “What were some of the hurdles you faced that may have prevented
you from saving VMT?”
The majority of participants indicated hurdles related to public transportation, weather
conditions, and unforeseen work-related issues. Participants felt that they would have been
able to save more VMT had public transportation been available in the area (15.6%). For
those participants who had public transportation available, the two biggest complaints were
lack of bus routes and long travel times. Several participants noted that a 10–15 minute
drive could take 1–2 hours by bus due to the fact that the route required transfers which
caused major delays in travel times.
Due to the hot temperatures and typical rainy weather during the summer months in
Florida, participants who attempted to ride bicycles to work noted that unpredictable
weather conditions, heavy rain, and high temperatures prevented them from riding on a
consistent basis (15.6%). There was also a general opinion among bicycle-riding
participants that there are not enough bike lanes in Florida to accommodate the riding
public. Participants also cited construction as a factor preventing them from following their
intended routes (9.3%). One participant noted that even when a bike lane was available,
riding was dangerous due to reckless driving by motorists. Telecommuting was a popular
strategy to save VMT, but on-site requirements for meetings made it difficult for some
participants to maintain their savings strategy.
Question #5: “How much do you spend on gas per week on average?”
Answers to this question were used to verify the mileage records recorded by the
participants. It should be noted that many participants indicated a savings of 50 percent or
more on fuel costs during the study