HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 7586
City of Palo Alto (ID # 7586)
City Council Staff Report
Report Type: Study Session Meeting Date: 3/6/2017
City of Palo Alto Page 1
Summary Title: Stanford Research Park TDM & Palo Alto TMA
Title: Status Report Regarding the Stanford Research Park Transportation
Demand Management (TDM) Program and the Palo Alto Transportation
Management Authority (TMA)
From: City Manager
Lead Department: Planning and Community Environment
Recommendation
This is a study session and no Council action is requested.
Executive Summary
There are two separate initiatives underway focused on reducing commute trips by
single occupant vehicle (SOV): one in the Stanford Research Park, and one in
downtown Palo Alto.
The Stanford Research Park initiative is being undertaken by a collection of businesses
in the Park, with support and staffing provided by Stanford University’s Research Park
team. The downtown initiative is being undertaken by a new non-profit organization
called the Palo Alto Transportation Management Association (TMA). The City funded
and supported establishment of the TMA and a City representative sits on the TMA
board of directors. Also, while the TMA is initially focused on downtown, its mission
and bylaws would allow it to expand to other business districts once there is sufficient
funding and organizational capacity.
This study session will allow both entities to provide the City Council with results of
employee surveys conducted in the spring of 2016, showing the mode share of
commuters to the Research Park and downtown Palo Alto, and to provide a status
report on the programs underway to encourage a shift from SOV to other modes.
Background
For background on the Palo Alto TMA and a preview of their 2016 employee survey, see
the TMA website at: http://www.paloaltotma.org/ and http://www.paloaltotma.org/wp-
content/uploads/2016/10/16-5932-Report-13.pdf. (A copy of the 2016 survey is
City of Palo Alto Page 2
included as Attachment B.)
For background on the Stanford Research Park TDM efforts, see their website at:
http://stanfordresearchpark.com/transportation. (A letter from Stanford representatives
is included as Attachment A.)
Policy Implications
The Transportation Element of the City’s Comprehensive Plan has reducing reliance on
single occupant vehicles as its first goal (Goal T-1) and includes multiple policies in
furtherance of this goal. Similar goals and policies are being discussed for inclusion in
the Comprehensive Plan Update and the City Council has made a significant investment
in projects and programs to address traffic congestion over the last several years.
While the Palo Alto TMA and the Stanford Research Park efforts are just getting
underway, they have the potential to mature into programs that will dramatically alter
commuting to major employment centers in Palo Alto.
Attachments:
Attachment A: SRP TMA TDM Letter February 2017
Attachment B: TMA 2016 Downtown Palo Alto Employee Mode Split Survey
February 16, 2017
Hillary Gitelman
Director
Planning & Community Environment Department
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
RE: Stanford Research Park Transportation Management Association Overview for March 6, 2017 City
Council Hearing
Dear Ms. Gitelman:
Per your request, below is a summary of the information Stanford Research Park (SRP) will present to City
Council on March 6, 2017.
Stanford Research Park Overview
Tiffany Griego, Managing Director, Stanford Research Park will provide a brief overview of SRP. SRP has
been a university-affiliated business park since 1951 and is Palo Alto’s home base for cutting-edge and
influential companies. The Research Park consists of 700 acres and 10 million square feet of R&D and
office space. SRP is home to 140+ companies and approximately 29,000 employees. Additional details at
www.StanfordResearchPark.com
Worker commutes and transportation options are a top issue for SRP companies and their employees.
Difficult commutes reduce a company’s ability to recruit and retain valued employees and adversely
impact employees’ productivity and quality of life. Many large employers in SRP have robust in-house
Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Programs. SRP TDM efforts support these employers and
engage smaller employers who do not have the expertise or resources to offer significant TDM programs.
Both large and small employers benefit from the scale and partnerships afforded to them by working with
the SRP Transportation Management Association (TMA) on TDM programs for their employees.
Commute Survey Results and TDM Program Metrics
Jamie Jarvis, Transportation Demand Manager for Stanford Research Park will present a summary of the
2016 SRP Employee Commute Survey results. Responses were received from 4,560 employees. The survey
results include current commute mode use, as well as respondents’ interest in commute options and TDM
programs. This valuable information is being used to guide and prioritize SRP TDM programs. In addition,
SRP will share on-going program metrics, including shuttle ridership, bus ridership and carpool
registrations.
SRP-wide TDM Programs offered by the TMA
When Stanford presented to City Council in March 2016, the SRP TDM program consisted of a TMA
comprised of the 12 largest employers, a full time TDM Manager, a new Stanford Research Park web site
featuring transportation information, VTA Eco Pass, free Caltrain shuttle service, an enhanced Guaranteed
Ride Program, and a Bicycle Champions Advisory Group.
Since this time, the Stanford Research Park TMA has expanded to 18 employers, including the largest
property manager in SRP, who represents 43 tenants. In addition, the SRP TDM program now also includes
a trip planner and tracker at SRPgo.com, an outreach coordinator and contact database, Scoop carpool
promotion and subsidies, vanpool formation assistance and a $300 rider subsidy, on-site bicycling clinics
and park-wide Bike to Work Day, monthly commuter prize drawings and Spare the Air day rewards, free
Zipcar registration and $25 use credit, and a San Francisco Commuter Bus.
New programs for 2017 include free EcoPasses to employers with fewer than 100 employees, direct
communications to commuters, new Caltrain last mile connections, additional Zipcar carshare vehicles,
and enhanced bicycling programs, including participation in the Palo Alto Bikeshare expansion planned
for this summer.
Keys to Successful TDM in SRP
Tiffany Griego will share our views on the successful TDM in SRP. These include customized solutions
focused on our unique population and geography, flexibility to experiment and evolve programs as
needed, and collaboration among SRP employers, all under the leadership of Stanford Research Park’s
TMA. In addition, a partnership between the City and SRP to improve and increase commute options will
be key to the long-term success of TDM efforts in Stanford Research Park.
Stanford would like to work with the City to increase local and regional public transit options, support
HOV projects, and improve bicycle and pedestrian access. In addition, Stanford would like to work with
the City to develop land use strategies and zoning to support the use of commute alternatives.
We thank Council and Staff for this opportunity to provide an update on the Stanford Research Park TMA
and TDM Programs.
Sincerely,
Tiffany Griego Jamie Jarvis
Managing Director TDM Manager
Stanford Research Park Stanford Research Park
Downtown Palo Alto
Mode Share Survey
May 2016
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 2
`The percentage of downtown employees who drive alone to work hasn’t
changed much in the last two years, but it varies widely within specific
business sectors.
`The overall single occupancy vehicle (SOV) rate for downtown workers is
57%, but is lowest (26%) in the technology sector, where all employers
surveyed offer transit passes and other commute benefits; and highest
(80%) in the service sector, where most employers offer no benefits. Light
office workers have the second highest SOV rate at 74%, followed by
government workers at 57%.
`Tech companies have the highest use of both transit and active
transportation modes, which include biking and walking. Some 31% of tech
workers use public transit, and another 28% either bike or walk to work.
This contrasts with service workers, who use transit just 3%, and active
modes 11%.
Overall Findings: Mode Share
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 3
`Higher use of public transit is directly affected by the provision
of transportation benefits, including high value benefits such
as the Caltrain Annual Go Pass.
`Many large employers (including the City and most tech
companies) already provide transportation benefits. The 31%
use of transit and 24% use rate for government workers is
testimony to the effectiveness of providing no or low cost
transit passes.
`Workers in the service and light office industries, who do not
generally receive such benefits, only use transit 3% and 14%,
respectively.
Overall Findings: Impact of Transportation Benefits
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 4
`The cost of using public transit to commute to work is a major
barrier for many in the service sector.
`While a Go Pass is frequently a ‘free’ commute benefit for
employees of larger firms, even if employees reimburse their
employers for an annual pass, it costs less than $20 per month.
`Without the advantage of ‘bulk pricing’ using Caltrain costs
anywhere from $84.80 to $191.50 per month, which can make
it the most expensive way to get to work.
`Some 40% of service workers surveyed cite the cost of using
public transit as the reason they don’t use it.
Overall Findings: Cost as a Barrier
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 5
`This data reinforces the TMA’s pilot programs which provide
low income workers with a free transit pass for up to six
months.
`The pilot launched in mid-August 2016, and offers downtown
employees who earn less than $50,000 a year a free monthly
transit pass on Caltrain, Dumbarton Express, SamTrans or VTA
buses.
`Funded by a private donation for the six-month pilot, the
program has enrolled 28 workers so far of the 30 slots
available. It is reported that by far, Caltrain is the pass selected
by participants. The program is poised to expand with
additional City funding in the next few weeks.
Overall Findings: Data for TMA Pilot Programs
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 6
`The survey methodology of the 2016 mode share survey follows the same approach
as the 2015 mode share survey.
`829 surveys were conducted with employees at businesses located within an area of
Downtown Palo Alto bound by El Camino Real, Webster Street, Everett Avenue, and
Forest Avenue.
`A stratified random sample of worksites was pulled by worksite size, including small,
medium and large businesses. Sampled worksites were contacted directly to
identify and recruit an onsite survey coordinator who distributed the surveys to all
employees at their respective worksites.
`The survey was offered in online and paper formats for employees of businesses
with 5 or more employees, and was conducted by telephone with employees of
businesses with 4 or fewer employees.
`Data collection began May 2nd and ended the week of May 23rd. Each respondent
was asked commute mode questions for one calendar week previous to the date on
which they took the survey.
`Where applicable, results are compared to the first Downtown Palo Alto Mode
Share Survey conducted in May 2015 among 1,173 employees.
Methodology
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 7
Downtown Palo Alto
For this study, Downtown Palo Alto was defined as the area bound by El Camino Real,
Webster Street, Everett Avenue, and Forest Avenue.
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 8
Home Regions
Survey respondents were categorized into home regions based on zip code data.
2015 2016
Region % %
San Francisco 10% 10%
Peninsula 20% 26%
South Bay 33% 26%
Palo Alto 22% 19%
East Bay 7% 10%
Else 8% 9%
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 9
Total Amount of Survey Respondents
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 10
Worksite Size
The survey sample was stratified and the data weighted to reflect the distribution of
businesses by worksite size.
Business Size
(Survey Sample)
% of survey sample (weighted)
2015 2016
1 to 25 employees 24% 24%
26 to 100 employees 32% 32%
101+ employees 44% 44%
Business size categories are based on counts from the Palo Alto Business Registry.
Modes of
Transportation
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 12
55%57%
17%16%
8%7%7%7%5%6%5%4%2%3%1%1%
2015 2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015 2016
Drove
alone
Caltrain Walked Rode a
bicycle
Carpooled Worked
remotely
Other
transit
Other
Mode Share - Overall
Mode share has not changed significantly since 2015.
Q1. Thinking back to last week, what mode of transportation did you use to commute TO
downtown Palo Alto?
%’s reflect the total amount of trips taken during the week
2015 2016
SOV Total 55% 57%Includes drive alone and motorcycle
Transit Total 19% 19%Includes bus and rail
Non-motorized Total 15% 14%Includes walking and riding a bicycle
Rideshare Total 5% 6%Includes car/van pool and rideshare services like Uber or Lyft
Other 6% 5%Includes worked remotely and other
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 13
Mode Share by Worksite Size
Employees working at larger companies drive the least and utilize transit the most.
Q1. Thinking back to last week, what mode of transportation did you use to commute TO
downtown Palo Alto?
68%
78%
34%
15%
9%
28%
6%7%
23%
7%3%
7%5%3%7%
1-25 emp. (24%) 26-100 emp. (32%) 101+ emp. (44%)
Drove alone Transit Walk/Bike Carpooled Worked Remotely/Other
Business Size by Number of Employees
Numbers in parentheses represent the percentage of the sample for each respective subgroup.
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 14
Mode Share by Home Geography
10%
66%69%
36%
79%75%
13%
17%
5%9%
0%
13%
3%
47%
0%3%5%7%8%5%
12%
4%4%5%6%
San Francisco (10%)Peninsula (26%) South Bay (26%) Palo Alto (19%)East Bay (10%)
Drove alone Transit Walk/Bike Carpooled Worked Remotely/Other
San Francisco commuters are the least likely to drive. Those in the East Bay are the most
likely to drive.
Q1. Thinking back to last week, what mode of transportation did you use to commute TO downtown Palo Alto?
Refused to report=8%Numbers in parentheses represent the percentage of the sample for each respective subgroup.
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 15
Mode Share by Business Type
57%
26%
80%
74%
24%
31%
3%
14%
7%
28%
11%
3%4%8%4%4%8%7%
2%5%
Government
(9%)
Technology
(35%)
Service
(19%)
Light office
(35%)
Drove alone Transit Walk/Bike Carpooled Worked Remotely/Other
Service workers are the least likely business category to use transit.
Q1. Thinking back to last week, what mode of transportation did you use to commute TO downtown Palo Alto?
Numbers in parentheses represent the percentage of the sample for each respective subgroup.
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 16
Mode Share by Amount of Transit Benefits
76%
50%
40%40%
10%
27%
14%
24%
7%
13%
30%
19%
4%6%9%8%
3%5%7%10%
0 of 3
benefits (35%)
1 of 3
benefits (36%)
2 of 3
benefits (15%)
3 of 3
benefits (12%)
Drove alone Transit Walk/Bike Carpooled Worked Remotely/Other
The more transit benefits that a worker receives, the less likely they are to drive alone.
Q1. Thinking back to last week, what mode of transportation did you use to commute TO downtown Palo Alto?
Numbers in parentheses represent the percentage of the sample for each respective subgroup.
Transit benefits include, transit subsidies, pre-tax payroll deduction for transportation, and
information about commute alternatives
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 17
Mode Share by Transit Benefits
30%
50%
83%
41%
25%
5%
18%16%
1%6%3%6%5%6%4%
Receive transit
subsidies only
(19%)
Receive Pre-tax
payroll deduction only
(6%)
Receive
information only
(12%)
Drove alone Transit Walk/Bike Carpooled Worked Remotely/Other
Among workers who receive transit benefits, those who receive transit subsidies alone are
the most likely to use transit.
Q1. Thinking back to last week, what mode of transportation did you use to commute TO downtown Palo Alto?
Numbers in parentheses represent the percentage of the sample for each respective subgroup.
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 18
Mode Share Over Time – Business Size 1-25
Among businesses with 1-25 employees, SOV trips decreased and transit trips increased
compared to 2015.
Q1. Thinking back to last week, what mode of transportation did you use to commute TO
downtown Palo Alto?
74%
68%
7%
15%
7%6%5%7%7%5%
2015 2016
Drove alone Transit Walk/Bike Carpooled Worked Remotely/Other
Among Businesses Size 1-25, 199n
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 19
Mode Share Over Time – Technology
Among technology businesses, SOV trips dropped compared to 2015.
Q1. Thinking back to last week, what mode of transportation did you use to commute TO
downtown Palo Alto?
33%
26%
31%31%
26%28%
4%8%7%7%
2015 2016
Drove alone Transit Walk/Bike Carpooled Worked Remotely/Other
Among Technology Businesses, 290n
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 20
Mode Share Over Time – Service
Among service businesses, SOV trips increased and transit trips have decreased since
2015.
Q1. Thinking back to last week, what mode of transportation did you use to commute TO
downtown Palo Alto?
73%
80%
8%
3%8%11%6%4%6%2%
2015 2016
Drove alone Transit Walk/Bike Carpooled Worked Remotely/Other
Among Service Businesses, 158n
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 21
Mode Share Over Time – Business Size 26-100
Among businesses with 26-100 employees, SOV trips increased and transit trips have
decreased compared to 2015.
Q1. Thinking back to last week, what mode of transportation did you use to commute TO
downtown Palo Alto?
61%
78%
17%
9%12%7%6%3%4%3%
2015 2016
Drove alone Transit Walk/Bike Carpooled Worked Remotely/Other
Among Businesses Size 26-100, 265n
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 22
Multiple Modes of Transportation
About a quarter of workers in downtown Palo Alto use multiple modes of transportation
to commute to work.
Q2. Do you use more than one mode of transportation to commute to work?
Yes, 24%
No/DK, 76%
Do you use more than one mode of transportation to commute to work?
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 23
Multiple Modes of Transportation
Among those who use multiple modes of transportation to commute downtown, Caltrain
is largely the mode that brings them into downtown.
3. Which mode of transportation brings you INTO Downtown Palo Alto?
Among respondents who take more than one mode of transportation to work. 197n
63%
16%
12%
3%3%2%0%
Caltrain Walk Car Bike Bus Shuttle Rideshare
Which mode of transportation brings you into
downtown Palo Alto?
Transportation
Attitudes
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 25
Transit Attitudes
Many SOV drivers are open to taking transit if service were faster, more frequent, or it ran
when needed.
Q13-Q26. Please indicate whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat
disagree, or strongly disagree with each of the following statements.
23%
20%
19%
16%
16%
14%
22%
22%
18%
14%
14%
15%
45%
42%
36%
31%
31%
29%
I would take transit to work if the service was
faster or more frequent.
I would take transit to work if the schedule was
better and it ran when I needed it.
I would take transit to work if it was easier to get
to a transit stop.
I would take transit if parking at transit stops was
available.
I would take transit to work if it was less
expensive or I was given a discounted transit pass.
I would take transit if parking at transit was less
expensive.
Strongly
agree
Somewhat
agree
Total
Agree
Among SOV Drivers, 539n
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 26
Driving Attitudes
Nearly 3 out of 4 SOV drivers prefer to drive to work and plan on continuing to do so.
Q13-Q26. Please indicate whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat
disagree, or strongly disagree with each of the following statements.
50%
45%
35%
25%
12%
22%
23%
16%
20%
18%
72%
68%
51%
46%
31%
I prefer to drive to work and plan on
continuing to do so.
I need to drive to work because I make other
stops (school, kids, errands) before or after
work
I need to drive to work because I use my car
for meetings, deliveries, or other work-related
tasks.
I would rather not drive to work, but I have no
other good options.
I would take a carpool or vanpool to work if it
was convenient, safe, and easy to find.
Strongly
agree
Somewhat
agree
Total
Agree
Among SOV Drivers, 539n
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 27
Driving Attitudes Over Time
Compared to 2015, a larger percent of SOV drivers agree that they prefer to drive, plan to
continue to do so, and need to drive.
Q13-Q26. Please indicate whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat
disagree, or strongly disagree with each of the following statements.
72%
68%
51%
46%
31%
67%
60%
44%
50%
35%
I prefer to drive to work and plan on continuing to do
so.
I need to drive to work because I make other stops,
such as for school, kids, or other errands, before or
after work.
I need to drive to work because I use my car for
meetings, deliveries, or other work-related tasks.
I would rather not drive to work, but I have no other
good options.
I would take a carpool or vanpool to work if it was
convenient, safe, and easy to find.
2016 2015 Total % AgreeAmong SOV Drivers,
2015: 772n
2016: 539n
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 28
30%28%
40%
26%24%
33%
38%
44%
Government (9%) Tech (35%) Service (19%)Light office (35%)
Agree Disagree
Transit Attitudes by Business Type
Service workers agree the most of any business type that they would take transit if it was
less expensive.
Q13-Q26. Please indicate whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat
disagree, or strongly disagree with each of the following statements.
I would take transit to work if it was less expensive or I was given a discounted
transit pass.
Among SOV drivers
Government : 56n
Tech: 111n
Service: 133n
Light office: 231n
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 29
28%28%
36%
26%27%
35%
28%
41%
Government (9%) Tech (35%) Service (19%)Light office (35%)
Agree Disagree
Transit Attitudes by Business Type
Service workers agree the most out of any business type that they would take transit if
parking was less expensive.
Q13-Q26. Please indicate whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat
disagree, or strongly disagree with each of the following statements.
I would take transit if parking at transit was less expensive.
Among SOV drivers
Government : 56n
Tech: 111n
Service: 133n
Light office: 231n
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 30
34%33%
28%29%
20%
31%33%
41%
Government (9%) Tech (35%) Service (19%)Light office (35%)
Agree Disagree
Transit Attitudes by Business Type
Agreeing with the statement “I would take transit if parking at transit stops was
available” is similar across business types.
Q13-Q26. Please indicate whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat
disagree, or strongly disagree with each of the following statements.
I would take transit if parking at transit stops was available.
Among SOV drivers
Government : 56n
Tech: 111n
Service: 133n
Light office: 231n
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 31
44%44%
28%
34%
26%28%
36%
41%
Government (9%) Tech (35%) Service (19%)Light office (35%)
Agree Disagree
Transit Attitudes by Business Type
The ability to get to a transit stop is less important to service and light office workers
compared to other transit attitudes.
Q13-Q26. Please indicate whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat
disagree, or strongly disagree with each of the following statements.
I would take transit to work if it was easier to get to a transit stop.
Among SOV drivers
Government : 56n
Tech: 111n
Service: 133n
Light office: 231n
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 32
57%54%
47%
36%
22%19%
23%
34%
Government (9%) Tech (35%) Service (19%)Light office (35%)
Agree Disagree
Transit Attitudes by Business Type
Nearly half of service workers who drive alone agree that they would take transit if the
service was faster or more frequent.
Q13-Q26. Please indicate whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat
disagree, or strongly disagree with each of the following statements.
I would take transit to work if the service was faster or more frequent.
Among SOV drivers
Government : 56n
Tech: 111n
Service: 133n
Light office: 231n
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 33
51%49%
44%
35%
20%24%
29%
35%
Government (9%) Tech (35%) Service (19%)Light office (35%)
Agree Disagree
Transit Attitudes by Business Type
About half of government and tech workers who drive alone agree that they would take
transit to work if the schedule was better and it ran when they needed it.
Q13-Q26. Please indicate whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat
disagree, or strongly disagree with each of the following statements.
I would take transit to work if the schedule was better and it ran when I needed it.
Among SOV drivers
Government : 56n
Tech: 111n
Service: 133n
Light office: 231n
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 34
Non-Motorized Attitudes
A small portion of SOV drivers are interested in active transportation options.
Q13-Q26. Please indicate whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat
disagree, or strongly disagree with each of the following statements.
11%
6%
13%
9%
24%
16%
I would walk or bike to work if there were
better paths, trails, and sidewalks.
I would bike to work if there was better
parking or storage options for my bike at my
work location.
Strongly
agree
Somewhat
agree
Total
Agree
Among SOV Drivers, 539n
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 35
Interest in Learning Commuter Options
41% of respondents are interested in learning more about commuting options and
incentives.
26. I am interested in learning more about commuting options and incentives that may be
available to me.
Strongly 16%Strongly 17%
Somewhat 25%
Somewhat 10%
Agree
41%
Disagree
27%
Don't know
33%
I am interested in learning more about commuting
options and incentives that may be available to me.
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 36
Reasons for NOT Taking Transit
Those who don’t take transit mostly need their cars for errands or they prefer to drive.
27. What is the main reason you do not take transit more often?
21%
17%16%
2%
12%12%
5%5%6%
29%
18%
15%
9%9%7%
4%
2%4%
Need car
for errands/
meetings
I prefer to
drive
Schedule
is not
convenient
Transit takes
too long/
too many
transfers
Routes
not where
needed
Location of
stops is not
convenient
I take transit
as often as
I can
It’s too
expensive
Don't
know/Other
2015 2016
Why do you not take transit more often?
Among SOV drivers, 539n
Employer Transit
Benefits
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 38
Employer Transit Benefits
About one third of workers in downtown Palo Alto report receiving no transit benefits
from their employer.
4. Does your employer offer any of the following?
47%
21%
38%35%
Transit
subsidies
Pre-tax payroll
deduction for
transportation
Information about
commute
alternatives
None
Does your employer offer any of the following?
Multiple answers accepted, percentages do not add to 100%
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 39
Amount of Transit Benefits
About two thirds of workers report receiving 1 or more transit benefits from their
employer.
4. Does your employer offer any of the following?
35%36%
16%12%
0 of 3
benefits
1 of 3
benefits
2 of 3
benefits
3 of 3
benefits
Amount of transit benefits a worker receives
Transit benefits include, transit subsidies, pre-tax payroll deduction for transportation,
and information about commute alternatives
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 40
44%
18%17%21%
33%
50%
31%37%
13%14%
35%
24%
10%17%16%19%
SOV (66%) Transit (24%) Non-motorized (15%)Rideshare (10%)
0 of 3
benefits
1 of 3
benefits
2 of 3
benefits
3 of 3
benefits
Amount of Transit Benefits By Commute Modes
44% of SOV drivers report not receiving any transit benefits from their employer.
4. Does your employer offer any of the following?
Numbers in parentheses represent the percentage of the sample for each respective subgroup.
Transit benefits include, transit subsidies, pre-tax payroll deduction for transportation, and
information about commute alternatives
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 41
2%4%
31%
77%
25%
45%
61%
17%
39%32%
5%2%
35%
19%
3%5%
Government (9%) Technology (35%) Service (19%)Light office (35%)
0 of 3
benefits
1 of 3
benefits
2 of 3
benefits
3 of 3
benefits
Amount of Transit Benefits By Business Type
Light office workers report receiving very few transit benefits.
4. Does your employer offer any of the following?
Numbers in parentheses represent the percentage of the sample for each respective subgroup.
Transit benefits include, transit subsidies, pre-tax payroll deduction for transportation, and
information about commute alternatives
Parking
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 43
Parking
Fewer respondents report parking on neighborhood streets in 2016 but employees are
parking in timed zones and public garages and lots.
5. Where do you typically park when you drive to work?
30%
21%
15%
4%3%2%
24%
34%
22%
7%
4%
8%
2%
23%
Public garage
or parking lot
Private/employer
garage or parking
lot
Neighborhood
streets
It varies In a 2- or 3-hour
on-street parking
zone
Caltrain parking lot Other/DK/
Don’t drive
2015 2016
Where do you typically park when you drive to work?
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 44
Parking by Business Type
Service workers largely park on the street.
5. Where do you typically park when you drive to work?
56%
21%
30%
43%
29%25%
9%
23%
0%
9%
38%
14%
Government
(9%)
Technology
(35%)
Service
(19%)
Light office
(35%)
Public garage
or parking lot
Private/employer
garage or parking lot
Neighborhood
streets/2-3 hour
street park
Numbers in parentheses represent the percentage of the sample for each respective subgroup.
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 45
Parking Permits
A little less than half of workers surveyed have a permit for on street parking or a garage.
6. Do you have a Residential Parking Permit for on-street parking or a permit to park in a
Downtown garage?
Yes, 40%
No, 60%
Don't know, 0%
Do you have a Residential Parking Permit for on-street
parking or a permit to park in a Downtown garage?
Awareness of
Palo Alto TMA
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 47
11%9%
29%
51%
Favorable Unfavorable Heard of but
can't rate
Never
heard of
Awareness of Palo Alto TMA
About half of respondents have heard of the Palo Alto TMA.
12. Do you have a strongly favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or strongly
unfavorable opinion of the Palo Alto Transportation Management Association (TMA)? If you
have never heard of the Palo Alto TMA or heard of but can’t rate, please select that option.
Total awareness=49%
Focus on Service
Workers
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 49
`Service workers report working in the restaurant or food industry, in
hospitality, or in personal services (beauty salon). They make up 19%
or 158n of the total sample for the 2016 Palo Alto Commuter Mode
Survey.
`Service workers have the highest SOV rate of any worksite category.
`Service workers receive fewer transit benefits from their employers
than other workers. They also express less flexibility with their work
schedule.
`Service workers mostly park on the street.
`Service workers have differing attitudes towards driving and transit
compared to workers as a whole.
Service Workers
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 50
Mode Share by Business Type
26%
57%
74%
80%
29%
23%
9%
2%
28%
7%3%
11%8%4%4%4%8%8%9%
3%
Technology
(35%)
Government
(9%)
Light office
(35%)
Service
(19%)
Drove alone Caltrain Walk/Bike Carpooled Worked Remotely/Other
Service workers report the highest level of SOV trips among all business types. They also
use transit less than any other business type.
Q1. Thinking back to last week, what mode of transportation did you use to commute TO downtown Palo Alto?
Numbers in parentheses represent the percentage of the sample for each respective subgroup.
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 51
Driving Attitudes Among Service Workers
Compared to respondents overall, service workers are more likely to prefer to drive to
work and plan on continuing to do so. They also express that they need to drive for other
stops or work related tasks more so than respondents overall.
Q13-26. Do you agree or disagree with the following?
76%
66%
44%
51%49%
37%
I prefer to drive to work and
plan on continuing to do so.
I need to drive to work because I make
other stops, such as for school, kids, or
other errands, before or after work.
I need to drive to work because I use
my car for meetings, deliveries, or
other work-related tasks.
Service workers (19%)Overall% Agree
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 52
Driving and Transit Attitudes Among Service Workers
Service workers have similar attitudes towards transit and transit alternatives as the population
overall, but are more likely to say they “need” to drive. Expense also appears to be a concern.
Q13-26. Do you agree or disagree with the following?
% Agree
Bolded numbers
and color bars are
of particular
interest.
Service Workers (19%)Overall (100%)
I prefer to drive to work and plan on continuing to do so.76% 51%
I need to drive to work because I make other stops, such as for
school, kids, or other errands, before or after work.66% 49%
I need to drive to work because I use my car for meetings,
deliveries, or other work-related tasks. 44% 37%
I would take transit to work if the service was faster or more
frequent.42% 41%
I would take transit to work if the schedule was better and it ran
when I needed it.40% 39%
I would take transit to work if it was less expensive or I was given a
discounted transit pass. 38% 29%
I would rather not drive to work, but I have no other good options.37% 33%
I am interested in learning more about commuting options and
incentives that may be available to me.37% 41%
I would take transit if parking at transit was less expensive.32% 25%
I would take a carpool or vanpool to work if it was convenient, safe,
and easy to find.32% 29%
I would take transit to work if it was easier to get to a transit stop.27% 32%
I would take transit if parking at transit stops was available.25% 26%
I would walk or bike to work if there were better paths, trails, and
sidewalks.22% 25%
I would bike to work if there was better parking or storage options
for my bike at my work location.18% 15%
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 53
Employer Transit Benefits
Service workers receive fewer transit subsidies and payroll deductions for transportation
from their employers than workers overall. 58% report receiving information about
commute alternatives from their employer.
4. Does your employer offer any of the following? (Multiple answers accepted)
12%13%
58%
47%
21%
38%
Transit subsidies Pre-tax payroll deduction for
transportation
Information about commute
alternatives
Service workers (19%)Overall
Does your employer offer any of the following?
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 54
Parking Among Service Workers
Service workers park on neighborhood streets and in 2-3 hour parking zones more than
other workers.
5. Where do you typically park when you drive to work?
30%
9%
21%18%
34%
22%
7%8%
Public garage or
parking lot
Private/employer
garage or
parking lot
Neighborhood
streets
In a 2 or 3-hour
on-street
parking zone
Service workers (19%)Overall
Where do you typically park when you drive to work?
Conclusions
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 56
`Mode share has not changed significantly since 2015 and has
stayed steady with an SOV rate of 57% and a transit rate of
19%.
`Employer transit benefits like transit subsidies and pre-tax
payroll deductions for transportation appear to have an impact
in making SOV trips lower and transit use higher.
`Service workers are a potential target for decreasing SOV trips.
`About half of respondents have heard of the TMA.
Conclusions
Mode Share
Trend Data
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 58
Mode Share Over Time
Business Type
Government Technology Service
2015 2016 Diff. 2015 2016 Diff. 2015 2016 Diff.
Drove alone 59% 57% -2% 33% 26% -7% 73% 80% +8%
Caltrain 20% 23% +3% 31% 29% -1% 4% 2% -1%
Walk/Bike 6% 7% +1% 26% 28% +3% 8% 11% +3%
Carpooled 6% 4% -1% 4% 8% +4% 6% 4% -3%
Worked Remotely/Other 10% 8% -1% 7% 8% +1% 10% 3% -7%
Business Type
Light office
2015 2016 Diff.
Drove alone 71% 74% +3%
Caltrain 11% 9% -1%
Walk/Bike 9% 3% -6%
Carpooled 5% 4% -0%
Worked Remotely/Other 4% 9% +5%
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 59
Mode Share Over Time
Employee size
1-25 26-100 101+
2015 2016 Diff. 2015 2016 Diff. 2015 2016 Diff.
Drove alone 74% 68% -6% 61% 78% +17% 41% 34% -7%
Caltrain 7% 14% +7% 14% 3% -11% 25% 27% +1%
Walk/Bike 7% 6% -1% 12% 7% -4% 22% 23% +1%
Carpooled 5% 7% +2% 6% 3% -3% 4% 7% +3%
Worked Remotely/Other 8% 5% -2% 8% 8% +1% 7% 8% +2%
Miles driven to work
<1 to 10 10 to 30 30+
2015 2016 Diff.2015 2016 Diff.2015 2016 Diff.
Drove alone 52% 55% +3% 69% 66% -3% 40% 45% +5%
Caltrain 6% 5% -1% 19% 20% +1% 39% 42% +2%
Walk/Bike 30% 28% -3% 1% 0% -0% 1% 0% -1%
Carpooled 4% 6% +1% 5% 5% -0% 5% 4% -1%
Worked Remotely/Other 7% 7% -0% 6% 8% +2% 15% 9% -6%
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 60
Mode Share Over Time
Home Geography
San Francisco Peninsula South Bay
2015 2016 Diff. 2015 2016 Diff. 2015 2016 Diff.
Drove alone 18% 10% -8% 63% 66% +3% 65% 69% +4%
Caltrain 70% 74% +4% 16% 11% -4% 20% 16% -4%
Walk/Bike 1% 0% -1% 12% 13% +1% 3% 3% +1%
Carpooled 1% 3% +3% 3% 5% +2% 6% 7% +1%
Worked Remotely/Other 10% 12% +2% 7% 5% -2% 6% 5% -1%
Home Geography
Palo Alto East Bay
2015 2016 Diff. 2015 2016 Diff.
Drove alone 41% 36% -5% 76% 79% +3%
Caltrain 0% 1% +1% 3% 5% +2%
Walk/Bike 48% 47% -2% 0% 0% -0%
Carpooled 5% 8% +3% 9% 5% -4%
Worked Remotely/Other 5% 8% +3% 12% 10% -2%
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 61
Mode Share Over Time
Age
18-29 30-39 40-49
2015 2016 Diff. 2015 2016 Diff. 2015 2016 Diff.
Drove alone 43% 36% -7% 51% 47% -4% 67% 69% +2%
Caltrain 21% 21% -0% 23% 22% -1% 11% 11% -1%
Walk/Bike 26% 29% +3% 13% 15% +2% 7% 7% +1%
Carpooled 4% 7% +3% 5% 8% +4% 6% 3% -3%
Worked Remotely/Other 5% 6% +1% 8% 8% -0% 9% 10% +1%
Age
50-64 65+
2015 2016 Diff. 2015 2016 Diff.
Drove alone 68% 76% +8% 81% 69% -12%
Caltrain 7% 12% +4% 5% 8% +4%
Walk/Bike 10% 4% -6% 5% 6% +1%
Carpooled 4% 3% -1% 6% 5% -1%
Worked Remotely/Other 10% 5% -5% 3% 11% +9%
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 62
Mode Share Over Time
Parents
Parent Not a parent
2015 2016 Diff. 2015 2016 Diff.
Drove alone 66% 70% +3% 50% 50% -0%
Caltrain 11% 9% -2% 20% 19% -1%
Walk/Bike 8% 8% -0% 19% 18% -1%
Carpooled 7% 4% -3% 4% 7% +2%
Worked Remotely/Other 8% 10% +2% 7% 7% -0%
Work Schedule
Required to start at a
specific time
My work schedule is
flexible
My schedule
varies
2015 2016 Diff. 2015 2016 Diff. 2015 2016 Diff.
Drove alone 64% 69% +5% 49% 43% -6% 63% 66% +2%
Caltrain 14% 15% +1% 20% 19% -1% 11% 11% -0%
Walk/Bike 8% 7% -2% 19% 22% +3% 15% 8% -7%
Carpooled 5% 3% -2% 5% 8% +2% 2% 6% +4%
Worked Remotely/Other 9% 6% -2% 7% 8% +2% 8% 9% +1%
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 63
Mode Share Over Time
Job Type
Full time Part time More than one job
2015 2016 Diff. 2015 2016 Diff. 2015 2016 Diff.
Drove alone 53% 52% -0% 75% 69% -6% 66% 77% +11%
Caltrain 19% 19% -0% 3% 3% -0% 4% 4% -0%
Walk/Bike 16% 15% -1% 8% 15% +6% 11% 10% -2%
Carpooled 5% 6% +1% 7% 7% +0% 5% 3% -2%
Worked Remotely/Other 7% 7% +0% 6% 6% +0% 14% 7% -7%
Peak Hour Commuters
Yes (6-9am) No
2015 2016 Diff. 2015 2016 Diff.
Drove alone 54% 52% -2% 57% 64% +7%
Caltrain 23% 21% -2% 7% 6% -1%
Walk/Bike 11% 13% +3% 22% 17% -5%
Carpooled 6% 6% +0% 3% 4% +1%
Worked Remotely/Other 6% 8% +2% 12% 9% -2%
16-5932 Palo Alto TMA | 64
Contact Information
Tom Patras
tom@emcresearch.com
614.827.9677
Doug MacDowell
doug@emcresearch.com
614.827.9673