IMPACT OF FLEXITIME WORK SCHEDULES ON AN EMPLOYER-BASED RIDESHARING PROGRAM

The impact on commuting behavior of employees when flexitime is superimposed on a large employer-based ridesharing program is discussed. The case study uses the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) program in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. Based on the first 6 months of experience with TVA's Knoxville flexitime program, it is shown that giving employees greater choice in working hours can serve to upset an established ridesharing program. It must be noted that the TVA ridesharing program is unique in that it provides a high level of consumer-oriented services. Buses operate equivalent to a subscription program and, along with vans, arrive just before the work day starts and leave immediately at the end of the work day. The element of choice then adds complexity to the operations. With shifting demands for different starting and leaving times, it becomes difficult to balance the services with the demand. Also, it is difficult for 35 to 40 people who use the same vehicle to reach a mutually agreed on schedule. Van operations are easier to adapt to flexitime because the decisions involve a smaller number of individuals and decisions can be made at the decentralized level of the van. However, when individuals are accustomed to receiving a high level of commuter service, and events take place to spread that demand over a longer time period, readjustments in travel behavior and accompanying services will be required. These adjustments will require the provision of additional commuter services. As TVA's experience indicates, without service adjustments, people will make use of the flexitime opportunities by carpooling or by driving alone. Both ridesharing and flexitime are important concepts for energy conservation. However, when flexitime is added to a large customized ridesharing program, the net energy savings will not equal the sum of both energy conservation actions taken singularly.

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1983/914/914-002.pdf
• Summary URL:
  https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=IMPACT+OF+FLEXITIME+WORK+SCHEDULES+ON+AN+EMPLOYER-BASED+RIDESHARING+PROGRAM&author=F.+Wegmann&author=S.+Stokey&publication_year=1983
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• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Ridesharing. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

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  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Wegmann, Frederick J
  • Stokey, Stanley R
• Publication Date: 1983

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 9-13
• Monograph Title: TRANSPORTATION INNOVATIONS: RIDESHARING TECHNIQUES AND PUBLIC-PRIVATE COOPERATION
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 914
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Employers; Energy conservation; Flexible hours; Level of service; Ridesharing; Scheduling; Staggered work hours; Vanpools
• Uncontrolled Terms: Subscription bus service
• Subject Areas: Energy; Environment; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00381498
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309035570
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Feb 29 1984 12:00AM