The 2009 GoTriangle Commute Awards took place on June 25, 2009 at RTP Headquarters. The regional celebration highlighted the results of the 2009 SmartCommute Challenge and recognized new BWC employers and Durham Commute Trip Reduction Program employer award winners. Awards were also given by the Town of Chapel Hill, UNC – Chapel Hill, NC State University, Downtown Raleigh and RTP. For a full listing of award winners, click here.
The RTP award winners were:
2009 SmartCommute@rtp Commuter Award
Jim Miller, RTI International
Jim is an avid commuting cyclist and his round trip until recently was 24 miles. He has just moved further away from his job in RTP and will now have a 32 mile round trip commute. He bikes an average of 5,500 miles each year and biking saves him $500 to $700 a year in fuel costs and at least $1,500 in additional savings in wear (or lack of wear!) on his car. He began cycling in his early twenties then stopped for about 25 years. He started riding again nine years ago and has been commuting to RTI since June 2007. He is a member of RTI’s bike commuting group that supports bike commuting with advice from members, bike maintenance help, and occasional award and charity challenges. Jim is also one of RTI’s representatives on the SmartCommute@rtp committee.
2009 SmartCommute@rtp Commute Challenge Award
Trina Dorcheus, Monsanto
Trina introduced SmartCommute@rtp membership to Monsanto’s Leadership Team in July 2008 and Monsanto became a member of the free program at that time. Trina was designated as the official representative for Monsanto on the committee. During weekly staff meetings, she updates everyone about SmartCommute initiatives and encourages alternative commuting. She invites SmartCommute@rtp and Triangle Transit staff to attend onsite events (like Earth Day) and makes sure that brochures stay in stock in the lunchroom. She has created a poster with employees’ home locations to help encourage carpooling. Trina coordinated Monsanto’s participation in the annual Employee Commuting Survey (even though this is voluntary for Monsanto). Trina is also in a vanpool. Her commute is 45 miles one way and her vanpool commute is much more pleasant and less stressful than driving alone.
