STUDY OF STAGGERED WORK HOURS FOR THE CENTRAL EMPLOYMENT AREA IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

This study was conducted to provide information on the probable impact of a saggered work hours program on transit capabilities, vehicle fuel consumption, traffic congestion and air quality in Washington, D.C. Underutilized bus capacity is identified as being available just before and after the peak intervals. A staggered program, along with proper incentives would make better use of available capacity and encourage new transit patronage, thus relieving the urban environmental and energy problem. The optimum impact of a staggered hours program on the transportation system would be achieved by enducing a change in work travel from automobile to transit. To achieve this, measures would be necessary to make transit travel more attractive relative the automobile. The most noticeable effects in Washington. to the automobile. The most noticeable effects in Washington. D. C. would be those related to traffic congestion. Key factors crucial to the success of the plans are discussed and evaluated including staggered work-hour-strategies, employee participation, and bus transit coordination. Based on studies of alternative techniques for implementing a staggered work hours plan, a final program was recommended. Incremental shift of starting times would be adopted for the central employment area; working hours of a quarter of the jobs in the area would be rescheduled; The plan would be initiated in two stages, first the government employees and secondly the private sector; high level program endorsement is essential, particularly by the Executive branch; metro bus service should be increased by about 9 percent during the extended peak-periods; finally, a coordinated effort should be made to divert workers from their cars, continue bus priority treatments, and maintain fares at or near the present level.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • The preparation of this report has been financed in part by the urban Mass Transportation Administration, DOT.
• Corporate Authors:

  Smith (Wilbur) and Associates

  1100 Connecticut Avenue, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20036
• Publication Date: 1975-9

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 97 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air pollution; Central business districts; Fuel consumption; Mode choice; Peak hour traffic; Public transit; Ridership; Routes; Staggered work hours; Traffic congestion; Urban areas
• Old TRIS Terms: Modal selection; Reserved routes
• Subject Areas: Energy; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00165926
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: Proj IT-09-0033-32
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 12 1982 12:00AM