How to Submit an Emission Reduction Plan

Transportation Demand Management (TDM) is the practice of changing if, how, when, and where people move around the city by encouraging more efficient types of transportation behavior.  The City of Santa Monica works with its employers and developers to increase the number of people using sustainable modes of transportation as a means to enhance wellbeing and satisfy state and local environmental requirements. 

Santa Monica Municipal Code (S.M.M.C.) Chapter 9.53 establishes a system for your organization to coordinate transportation programs at your worksite or development. While some ordinance elements are optional, most are requirements triggered by specific aspects of your business or project. 

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  1. Designate and certify an Employee Transportation Coordinator

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    An Employee Transportation Coordinator (ETC) is the person responsible for the development and administration of the Emission Reduction Plan. Any person at your organization may become a certified ETC by attending a class. Employers with 250 or more employees must be certified with the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), while those with fewer employees can certify with a City of Santa Monica approved instructor. 

    Upcoming dates and contacts for instructors can be found here.

  2. Survey employees annually about how they get to work

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    Average Vehicle Ridership (AVR) compares how many vehicles are coming to your worksite versus the number of employees. AVR is measured by asking your employees how they commute to and from work during a 5-day period. Every worksite has a target AVR, which varies depending on location. Target AVR is determined by a worksite's proximity to transit and areas of high congestion. 

    Find your worksite's target AVR here.  

    Find an English version of the AVR Survey here.

    and a Spanish version of the AVR Survey here.

  3. Reach your target AVR

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    All employers are required to create a TDM plan that will encourage employees to ride their bikes, walk, use public transit, or carpool to work, among other sustainable options. Ongoing education, supportive policies, and financial incentives are strategies your business can utilize to increase AVR. Programs utilizing parking charges, transit pass reimbursements, and telework policies are effective in reducing vehicle trips and reaching your target AVR. 

    Many resources are available to help employers succeed at https://www.santamonica.gov/programs/gosamo. 

  4. Complete your Emission Reduction Plan online

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    Most of the tools you'll need to complete the Emission Reduction Plan (ERP) are available online. 

    By filing your ERP online, most of the process will be highly automated, including administering and calculating the Average Vehicle Ridership (AVR) survey. 

    A PDF version of the ERP is available here.

    Begin your ERP!

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