For the Month of July, New Dawn employees competed with companies state-wide in the 2010 Clean the Air Challenge.  The challenge brought New Dawn together to give back to reduce air pollution by finding ways to reduce car travel.

As a result, New Dawn employees created closer relationships with one another by creating carpooling groups with co-workers and got great exercise by cycling or walking to and from work.  Another way New Dawn reduced their car travel was by planning travel to reduce multiple trips throughout the day.

The results of the challenge were shocking…

Overall, all participants reduced over one million miles, eliminating over two million pounds of emissions that otherwise would have been omitted into the air!

New Dawn made the top ten companies list by eliminating 746 trips (2,182 miles), reducing 3,664 pounds of emissions.  All this travel saved New Dawn employees $3,284 in gasoline!

To see the full list of results, check out the Clean the Air Challenge website.

We congratulate all those who participated in the challenge.  We challenge you to reduce your trips and clean our air!  To help you get started, here are some travel trips:

Carpooling & Vanpooling

• Ridesharing, vanpooling and carpooling offer many benefits, including reduced travel costs for gas and general vehicle maintenance.  Other pay-offs include more personal time while traveling and less driving-related stress.  Travelers using these options often experience shortened travel time as they can utilize High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes.

Public Transit

• You can make efficient use of your time throughout your day by using public transit.  Fringe benefits include extra time to relax and be comfortable, saved money on gas and car maintenance, free time to respond to emails or review material for work, or even time for a little reading.  The cost savings to you include not having to pay for gas, parking, or maintenance, and reduced wear and tear on your vehicle.

Biking & Walking

• Biking and/or walking can provide you with health benefits while they reduce travel costs.  Not only can you reach your destination relaxed, you can reduce the stress generated by driving in congestion, having to find a parking space or purchasing gas.  In addition to personal health benefits, active transportation helps the environment by reducing your carbon footprint.

Teleworking

• Teleworking decreases your work stress, eliminates your commute and related costs and can increase your participation in local community activities.  By teleworking, you don’t have to go in to the traditional office ever day.  Just think of all the time you will save by not commuting.  You will have more time to spend with your family and friends or be able to pursue other interests.  You can work in a telework center or from home, based upon the options your company provides.

Trip Chaining

• By trip chaining, you can save vehicle trips by simply planning before you get in the car.  Trip chaining is consolidating trips you take throughout the day.  For instance, if you are at home and need to travel to two destinations in one day, you can travel from home, to the first destination, to the second destination and then back home again. By doing this instead of returning home after each trip, you have saved one trip.  The more trips you chain together, the more vehicle trips your can potentially save.

Tips provided by TravelWise: http://travelwise.utah.gov