How to Start a Successful Car Pool

• Recruit some (other) drivers.
  1. Ride Arrangers offers Denver-Boulder metro area resources for carpools and vanpools, including a ride matching service.
  2. Divide the Ride (for carpooling children)
• Make a plan.
  1. What will be the route and schedule? Establish morning and evening pickup and drop-off points.
  2. If you are rotating the driving responsibilities, will you be alternating on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis?
  3. Determine how driving expenses will be reimbursed. If everyone is rotating driving equally, this isn’t much of a discussion point. However, if there are nondrivers in your group, determine how they will contribute to driving expenses and specific dates for payment.
• Have a plan B. For example, Guaranteed Ride Home, a service of the Denver Regional Council of Governments, is a service providing a free taxi ride to EcoPass holders who need to leave work unexpectedly for an emergency. UCAR employees are eligible for a free EcoPass.
• Decide on the carpool culture
• Be punctual and polite.
• Be a good driver and a good host.

Benefits of Carpooling

• Save on gas expenses, parking fees, and tolls.
• Save on time if your route includes HOV (high occupancy vehicle) lanes.
• Reduce pollution and the climate effects of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Ease traffic congestion.
• Reduce the wear and tear that happens to your car in the course of commuting daily.
• Reduce the stress you experience as a result of driving in rush hour traffic each day.
• Company can make the often tedious routine of commuting more enjoyable.

Tips on How to Improve Gas Mileage

• Drive more efficiently.
  1. Slow down. Each 5 miles per hour (mph) you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.15 per gallon for gas.
  2. Stop aggressive driving. You can improve your gas mileage up to five percent around town.
  3. Avoid unnecessary idling.
  4. Combine errands.
  5. Use overdrive gears and cruise control when appropriate.
  6. Remove excess weight in cabin and trunk.
  7. Avoid packing items on top of your vehicle.
• Maintain your car.
  1. Keep engine tuned. Can increase gas mileage by an average of four percent.
  2. Keep tires properly inflated and aligned. Can increase gas mileage by an average of three percent.
  3. Change your oil.
  4. Check and replace air filters regularly. Can increase gas mileage up to ten percent.
• Use the octane level you need.
• Be cautious about “gas-saving” gadgets.
• Consider alternatives
  1. Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFVs). Do your homework as some AFVs don’t travel as far as gasoline-powered vehicles.
  2. Hybrid Electric Vehicles.

For more information about UCAR's transportation options, please visit:
Sustainable UCAR -- Transportation

June 2008