Innovative transportation allowance programs that are increasingly being considered and adopted by localities to increase ridesharing among commuters are reviewed. The focus is on programs that go beyond traditional and straightforward transit and parking subsidy programs for employees by incorporating innovative elements aimed at enhancing high-occupancy vehicle use or developing innovative administrative procedures. The review addresses transit and vanpool scrip allowances, carpool parking allowances, parking allowances varying withautomobile occupancies, and general travel allowances that commuters can use as desired. The review suggests that while some, but not all, of these innovative programs generate additional costs, they hold the promise to bring about significant shifts from solo driving toridesharing among commuters. The acceptance by employers and employees affected by many of these innovative programs has been slow but positive in particular situations. When the desire and need to reduce solo driving among employees are strong, many of these transportation allowance programs offer potential solutions. This paper appearsin transportation research record no. 1321, Rideshare programs: evaluation of effectiveness, trip reduction programs, demand management, and commuter attitudes 1991.
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