Commuter Challenge Features

Here is a Glossary of Features you will find in the Commuter Challenge and an explanation of each of them

• Sustainable Commute: A sustainable commute is a commute to and from work on a given day that involves a sustainable mode of transportation.  Sustainable modes of transportation include walking, biking, busing, carpooling/vanpooling, mopeding/motorcycling, telecommuting, using a longboard/skateboard, etc.  For example, if you carpool with someone else from your office to work, that would be a sustainable commute.  If you drive to a Park and Ride Lot and then ride the bus or bike to work, you would count the bus or bike trip as your sustainable commute.  If you are unsure if your commute is sustainable, please contact us.
  
  
• Miles Logged to Date: The number of miles you have logged on your sustainable commutes
  
  
• 2008 Goal: The Goal you would like to set for yourself for the number of  roundtrip sustainable commutes you will do during the month of May.  A commute is a trip to and from work, so you would count each day as one sustainable commute. 

  So for example, if you bike to work and bike home, that would be one roundtrip sustainable commute and would count as one towards your Goal.  If you bike to work and take the bus home, that would still count as one roundtrip sustainable commute and would count as one towards your Goal.

  The maximum number of sustainable commutes you could have for May month is 31 (there are 31 days in May).  And this would be if you work every single day in May and commute to work every single day in May.  Meeting a goal of more than 31 would not be possible. 

  Also, keep in mind that if you are not commuting to work on a given day, you would not be doing a sustainable commute. So, for example, I commute Monday through Friday.  I will not be commuting on Monday for Memorial Day.  So the maximum goal I could set for myself would be 21.

  It's always nice to try to set a "stretch" goal for yourself and see if you can meet or beat it.  If you think you can ride the bus at least once a week in May (or 5 times), you might want to set a goal of 6 sustainable commutes to see if you can reach an even higher goal. Keep in mind that you will receive an extra point for every new type of commute you try (even if it is just one way).  So if you normally bike to work and one day you try the bus, you will get an extra point.
  
  
• CO2 Emissions Avoided: Carbon Dioxide is a naturally occurring gas that is also produced by burning fossil fuels such as gasoline.  Reducing carbon dioxide emissions is a way to lower our risk of climate change.  During the Commuter Challenge, you can see the about of CO2 you and your organization reduce by choosing sustainable ways to get to work.  We calculate the pounds of CO2 emissions avoided by diving the number of miles logged by average passenger auto efficiency (22.9 as of 2005) and multiplying that by an emissions factor of 19.6. For more information on Carbon Dioxide Emissions, click here.
  
  
• Points: This is the number of points you earn by using sustainable modes of transportation during the Commuter Challenge.  You earn a point for every day you log a sustainable commute.  You earn an extra point is you try a new mode during the month.  So if you normally bus to work and you try biking, you will automatically receive an extra point.  Earning points qualifies you and your organization for prizes.  View the prizes by clicking here.
  
  
• Calories Burned: This is the number of calories you are burning on your sustainable commute.  Our calculations are based on the SmartTrips Calculator.