University RideShare Program at Clayton State
The University RideShare Program is part of the Department of Public Safety at Clayton State University. This program encourages employees and students to register with 1-87-RIDEFIND to find potential carpool matches and promotes alternative transportation to help the environment.
We use the Atlanta Regional Commission's 1-87-RIDEFIND computerized database which provides a regional ridematching service which is confidential. It matches Clayton State University employees and students.
Individuals can apply for ridematching assistance by calling a toll-free hotline, 1-87-RIDEFIND (1-877-433-3463), or by going to www.187RIDEFIND.com and registering on-line. Commuters can also obtain immediate ridematch results by registering on-line. You also can complete a Clayton State RideShare application which is available in Public Safety, 2nd floor of the Student Center, or you can print one out at http://adminservices.clayton.edu/ps/rs/RSAPP.pdf .
For more information, call Clayton State University Public Safety at (678) 466-4050. You can see past and previous newsletters, The Fast Lane, at http://adminservices.clayton.edu/ps/rs/ursnews.html.
Clayton State University employees and students who complete a University RideShare application can receive a free sign-up gift (while supplies last).
Employees, who are registered with 1-87-RIDEFIND, work at Clayton State, and use alternative transportation, are eligible for Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH)--students are not eligible for GRH. For more information click here or contact Public Safety at (678) 466-4050.
In addition, if employees or students carpool (two or more people in one vehicle), these carpoolers are eligible for monthly drawings for free gifts. To be eligible for drawings, you must be registered with 1-87-RIDEFIND AND complete a Clayton State University carpool registration form that can be obtained in Public Safety (or print out a copy from Word and return it to Pubic Safety).
These carpool drawings are held during the first week of each month and winners will be notified by e-mail. For more information, contact Public Safety.
Contents
1-87-RIDEFIND Rideshare Matching System
What are the benefits to carpooling?
Guaranteed Ride Home (for Clayton State University employees)
What You Can Do To Help Solve Traffic/Smog Problems? Smart Commuting Habits
Clean Air Campaign at Clayton State University (How it began)
1-87-RIDEFIND RIDESHARE MATCHING SYSTEM
Atlanta Regional Commission's 1-87-RIDEFIND encourages the use of alternate transportation in the Atlanta region. The success of alternate transportation techniques was preeminent during the Atlanta region’s hosting of the Summer Olympics in 1996.
The centerpiece of this new direction is a state-of-the-art ridematching software system (RIDEPRO) which enables 1-87-RIDEFIND to integrate interested commuters into the regional database more efficiently and match them with speed and precision. To ensure quality matches, they have implemented a procedure that will validate names in the regional rideshare database, obtain feedback regarding ongoing levels of interest and maintain up-to-date information for use in the matching process.
It is easy for interested individuals to add their name to the regional rideshare database. Just call 1-87-RIDEFIND (1-877-433-3463) or register online at www.187RIDEFIND.com. You can also stop by Clayton State University Department of Public Safety located in the Student Center, Room 207, to pick up an application.
What are the benefits to carpooling?
Why carpool? You can save time, money and share the driving duties.
Carpooling saves money spent on gas and car care. Think about it - how much does your daily commute cost? It's more than just the cost of gas. The cost of car care and maintenance add to the fuel cost. For an estimated cost of driving your vehicle per month, go to the Clean Air Campaign web site http://cleanaircampaign.com/tools/calculators.
- Reduces Traffic Congestion and Increases Parking Spaces.
- Can use the HOV Lanes.
- Reduces stress—Leave the driving to someone else or enjoy the companionship.
- Increases your social circle—Meet other employees, make new friends, have time to catch up on the latest news or gossip.
- Improves your environment—Carpooling helps reduce Ozone levels and makes breathing a little easier.
* Source: American Automobile Association, 2006
Guaranteed Ride Home (for Clayton State University employees)
Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) provides commuters who carpool, vanpool, walk, bike or take transit to work with up to five free* taxi rides home from work annually if one of the following emergencies arises (funding provided by federal dollars):
- A serious problem occurs at your child’s school or daycare center.
- An immediate family member has an emergency and you are unable to wait for your normal ride home.
- You have to work mandatory unscheduled overtime.
- Your home or property is damaged by burglary, fire, etc.
- You get sick at work and can’t wait for your normal ride home.
- Your carpool/vanpool driver has to leave work early because of an emergency or must work unscheduled overtime and you have no other way to get home.
Vouchers for taking rides are available from Clayton State's on-site administrators in Public Safety.
For details and more explanation about the GRH go to *www.1-87-Ridefind.com or call the Department of Public Safety at (678) 466-4050 or 1-87-RIDEFIND. Note: Students are not eligible for GRH but are eligible for carpool incentives and promotional drawings at Clayton State University once they start carpooling at least one time a week and have registered with 1-87-RIDEFIND.
What You Can Do To Help Solve Traffic/Smog Problems?
Smart Commuting Habits:
- Carpool, use public transportation (MARTA or C-Tran), bike or walk when possible. How much money can I save if I carpool?
- Telework or use Alternative/flexible work schedules or compressed workweeks. How much travel time and productive time can you save if you telework?
- Combine errands.
- Lunch at work; have an in-office lunch party.
- Refuel after 6 PM or before 6 AM.
- Keep all equipment tuned-up.
- Limit idling when possible, avoid "jackrabbit" starts and drive within the speed limit.
- Ride on properly inflated tires for better gas mileage.
Other Ways to Reduce Smog
- Restrict indoor and outdoor painting on Smog Alert Days until after 6 PM.
- Delay or reschedule using machinery for outdoor grounds maintenance until after 6 PM on Smog Alert Days.
- Dim lights, cut back on air conditioning use, and turn off computers when not in use.
- Recycle.
- Use electric or natural gas grills instead of charcoal and lighter fluids.
- Use environmentally-safe paints and cleaning products and be sure to seal containers of cleaners and chemicals.
- Dispose of all chemicals properly.
Clean Air Campaign at Clayton State University (How did it start?)
On December 4, 1997, Governor Zell Miller issued an Executive Order requiring that all State Agencies, colleges and universities develop and implement a plan to change ozone producing behaviors from May 1 through September 30. Clayton State University was required to:
- Reduce Single Occupancy Vehicle (SOV) employee commuter trips by 20 percent EVERY day during Smog Season in 1999 and beyond.
- Eliminate or substantially reduce all activities involving painting, using solvents, and non-vehicular diesel or small gasoline engines on Smog Alert Days.
- Follow the governor's encouragement to continue to participate in these ozone changing behaviors. We are, however, not required to report statistics at this time.
For more information, visit www.cleanaircampaign.com.