This manual is designed to assist both existing and new ridesharing agencies in their continuing development as successful, community-oriented service organizations. It integrates the results of literature search, contacts with local ridesharing agencies, and findings from decision analysis panels and surveys conducted in four metropolitan areas of the united states. The manual provides guidelines for the several stages that any local ridesharing agency will experience in setting up a community ridersharing program. The manual details these stages, which are briefly described as follows: understanding the goals and nature of ridersharing and of ridesharers; understanding the community conditions and characteristics that affect ridesharing programs; adopting program design guidelines or policies suited to the community and its commuters; planning the ridesharing program; implementing the program; operating the program while encouraging and/or responding to indirect incentives, such as high occupancy vehicle lanes, and evaluating and improving the program. The research findings for this NCHRP report 241, were based on survey data reported in "using vanpools and carpools as a transportation system management technique: research report.".
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