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Ad Hoe Downtown Parking Committee Meeti TO a ` CLERK <br />April 18, 2007 DI M t ca . <br />'M JUL - 8 P 3: 0 f <br />The meeting was called to order at 7.30 pm. <br />Attendees <br />Committee members present included Gil Rodrigues, Jack Russell, George Rio, Dave Talbot, Julie <br />Thurlow, George Katsoufis,, Tom Quintal. <br />Also in attendance were Ron D'Addario, and Gina Snyder representing Reading Citizens for Climate <br />Protection (CCP), Ian Durrant, Outreach Coordinator for MassRides, and Stephanie Anderberg a <br />transportation professional in areas including carpooling and municipal ridesharing initiatives currently <br />employed by the City of Cambridge. Stephanie is a Reading resident and Reading CCP member. <br />Ian and Stephanie attended at the request of GeorgeK to provide insights regarding €idesharing. <br />Discussion <br />After introductions by GeorgeK, Stephanie and Ian engaged in discussion with committee and noted that <br />• not a lot of data exists on small community use of ridesharing <br />• growth in auto use and supporting infrastructure has outpaced US population growth <br />+ In their opinion, the demand for auto transportation must be reduced, and carpooling great option <br />+ carpooling need not be every day, can be flexible <br />+ Cambridge has implemented a Transportation Demand !Management program <br />+ MassRides www.commute.com implements a free ride-matching service including free <br />emergency rides home for participants. Over 12,,000 persons have registered, 150 from <br />Teradyne in N Reading. Actual usage data not readily available. <br />+ Possible security I privacy issues re www.commute.com - discussion re development of similar <br />function for just Reading. Other services exist Vista Commute,. Viva Commute). <br />+ Possible 'link to this site from Town of Reading site discussed <br />+ For ridesharing / carpooling to work. <br />o Motivations I incentives are key to success <br />Preferred parking spaces <br />Cash-out (don't drive, receive add1 pay) <br />T-shirts, free lunch,, etc.. <br />a Marketing I PR is required <br />= must become part of the corporate culture <br />■ outreach is key <br />• employer I business community support is key <br />town support is needed <br />o Large challenge to ridesharing I carpooling is lots of free parking <br />o Enforcement - self-policing is effective <br />o Ian will email other ideas and suggestions for distribution to committee <br />+ Town of Bedford MA is implementing a program for town employees which may provide <br />additional insights applicable to Reading <br />Gina Snydeer noted that Reading CCP is working with Town Mgr and BOS on a van grant. Feb 2008 is <br />next grant submission date- Look on. http://home.comcast.nett-tsopchak/RNCEC.htm for more detail. <br />