Make Your Commute Count Interactive Calculator Game Disclaimer
The Make Your Commute Count Interactive Calculator/Game is only meant to provide a broad preliminary estimate of what your costs of driving alone compared to your costs for using other modes of travel to get to work or school. This game is not meant to give detailed costs or savings estimates. Please read below to learn more about how we calculated savings for Make Your Commute Count.
Costs of Driving Estimate
For the quick estimation provided, we used the "middle of the road" 2019 AAA Your Costs of Driving estimate of $0.62 per mile, assuming driving approximately 15,000 miles per year. The AAA estimate factors in costs such as depreciation, finance, insurance, fuel, wear and tear, and maintenance.
We multiplied this per mile cost by your round-trip miles per day and days worked each week. Then multiplied the total by an average 48 work weeks per year to estimate annual costs. Your actual costs for driving alone to work annually will vary based on a variety of factors including year, make, model of vehicle, type of engine, specific insurance rates, fuel costs, tolls, parking and driving conditions.
Monetary Savings Estimates Bus, Vanpool, Carpool
For the quick estimations provided in this interactive calculator, for carpool, we used the AAA cost estimates detailed above, then divided them in half for a two-person carpool. This will vary based on vehicle and number of riders in the carpool.
For vanpool, we used a $5 per day per person average provided by METRO Star, which includes costs for fuel, parking, and tolls. This will vary based on vehicle and number of riders in the vanpool.
For bus, we assumed a park and ride fare of $3.50 each way, if traveling more than 10 miles, and a $2.50 for local bus if you are traveling less than 10 miles This will vary based on your actual route and transit provider. To connect to your local transit agency for actual costs, please visit our Transit Agencies page.
Monetary Savings for Telework/Bike/Walk/Compressed Work Week
For simplicity’s sake, we assumed you had everything you needed to not ride in one or two days for a compressed workweek or to bike, walk or telework. However, for telework you could have to buy additional office supplies like paper, printer cartridges, or additional internet services.
For Bike and Walk, you may need to purchase a bike or shoes and rain gear. You may have to replace your gear or make a bicycle repair during the year. If walking you could need a new raincoat or shoes. A compressed work-week day should not cost.
Emissions Calculations
CO2 emissions for driving alone are based on the average sedan at 0.87 pounds of CO2 emitted per mile. Actual emissions will vary based on the make, model, year of the vehicle, type of engine and how the vehicle is cared for.
Emissions Savings
The estimates for CO2 calculations for alternative modes were based on the calculations below:
- Telework, compressed work week, bike and walk emissions were negligible and were calculated at zero.
- Carpool emissions savings were based on the average sedan’s CO2 emissions (see above) and 2-person carpool. More or less emissions can be generated depending on the type of vehicle. Additional savings can be generated by adding more carpoolers.
- Vanpool emissions were calculated at 1.03 pounds per passenger mile based on a 2019 10 passenger Ford Transit. Actual emissions savings may vary based on type and age of vehicle and number of passengers in the vanpool.
- Transit CO2 emissions were calculated at 6.88 pounds per passenger mile based on the national average bus fuel economy provided by the Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuel Data Center.
To provide feedback or questions about the interactive calculator, please contact us commutesolutions@h-gac.com.
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