Writer Nate Berg has a fascinating article in The Atlantic Cities about Stanford University's attempt to combat traffic jams for its commuting employees. As U-M grows its job ranks and Ann Arbor's population stagnates, this might be something to help combat our mounting traffic issues. The increasing sprawl will probably remain, however.
Excerpt:
"In an effort to cut down on the morning zoo, researchers at Stanford University have launched a study and program aimed at shifting traffic patterns by encouraging drivers to slightly alter when they arrive at campus. To entice people to change their arrival times, the researchers have turned the morning commute into something of a game. Dubbed Capri, or Congestion and Parking Relief Incentives, the program awards points to enrolled drivers who arrive either before or after the 9 a.m.-to-10 a.m. and 4 p.m.-to-5 p.m. rush hours. Participants' arrival times are tracked through RFID tags and drivers are entered in a raffle that awards random cash prizes. The jackpot? A high of $50 and a low of $2. Not much, sure, but the researchers have found that even meager rewards – and the even more meager chance of actually winning those rewards – can have a significant effect on people's behaviors."
Read the rest of the story
here.
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