Driving Employee Retention With Sustainable Transportation Solutions

Grant Application

Sydney Crum, BA, UPMC Center for Sustainability

Proposed Innovation

Nearly a quarter of workers in the United States have quit jobs because of difficult or expensive commutes. In Pittsburgh — and at UPMC — workers face multiple transportation challenges, including cuts to public transportation services, traffic congestion, high fuel and parking costs, and fewer parking options due to parking lot and garage renovations.

This project aims to improve employee retention by providing sustainable solutions to transportation challenges. Plans include development of a carpool match program, creation of incentive programs to encourage carpooling, and installation of bike racks.

Improvements in Action

The project will begin as a pilot program targeting 2,500 to 3,500 employees at UPMC hospitals in Pittsburgh. A carpool match program will be developed to connect people and facilitate ride sharing. Additional bike racks also will be installed on hospital campuses.

Preferred parking with signage and special recognition programs will be used as incentives to encourage carpooling. In addition, marketing will focus on increasing awareness of new transportation resources.

Intended Outcomes

This project is expected to have a positive impact on employee retention and engagement by making commuting easier and more affordable. The carpool match program will make it easy to arrange ride sharing. It also will empower employees to communicate and work collaboratively for a common purpose. Having fewer cars on the road also will reduce parking and traffic congestion while lowering greenhouse gas emissions.