How do I enter?
Complete the New User Registration on this Web site. Then record your commute trips using the Commute Tracker on this Web site. A commute trip must be made on the stated date. You can enter commute trips for the current calendar month and the previous calendar month using this Web site.
The City of Vancouver, Clark County, and other sponsors are not responsible for technical failures in entry transmission, or lost, late, misdirected, damaged, incomplete, illegible, or postage due entries. Entry constitutes permission (except where prohibited by law) to use the winner's name, hometown, and any text submitted for the purposes of promotion on behalf of the Clark County Commute Trip Reduction Program.
How do prize drawings work?
Prize drawings are held at the beginning of each month. Paper entry forms must be received and online trip diaries submitted by the 5th of the month to qualify. The Clark County Commute Trip Reduction Program staff will contact winners to arrange for prize delivery. If a prize winner cannot be reached after several reasonable attempts via phone and email, a new winner will be chosen.
Who sponsors the Smart Commuter Campaign?
The Smart Commuter Campaign is sponsored by the City of Vancouver, Clark County, C-TRAN, the City of Camas, the City of Washougal, the State of Washington, and federal grants from the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program.
What is the purpose of tracking my commute trips?
The Clark County Commute Trip Reduction Program promotes alternatives to driving alone through walking, bicycling, sharing rides, and riding the bus. These trips reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, and help preserve our quality of life in Clark County.
The Clark County Commute Trip Reduction encourages people to try alternatives to driving alone and rewards those who are already using alternatives. It applies to all trips, including the trip to work, errands, school, or leisure activities.
Are there any tax consequences for being a prize winner?
The Clark County Commute Trip Reduction Program will comply with the IRS reporting requirements for prize winners. According to the 2006 IRS instructions, a Form 1099-MISC is required for any person receiving over $600 in prizes and awards. Recipients of prizes qualifying for a 1099-MISC must agree to provide the information necessary for the 1099-MISC in order to receive their prize; they should expect to receive their forms in time to file their appropriate tax returns.
What if I drive a hybrid vehicle?
If there is more than one person in the car for the commute, then the hybrid vehicle may count as a carpool. Driving alone in a hybrid vehicle may reduce fuel usage and emissions, but does not reduce traffic congestion. Therefore, driving alone in a hybrid vehicle is not an eligible Smart Trip.
Why are motorcycles not included as an alternative mode?
A goal of the program is to encourage transportation methods that reduce traffic congestion. Even given the relative size of a motorcycle to a car, they are still a vehicle using our roadways. We believe that the best way to encourage people to use fewer vehicles overall is to encourage walking, biking, ridesharing, or riding the bus.
Another goal of the program is to reduce air pollution. According to the EPA, current motorcycle engines pollute at a rate 90 times higher per mile than passenger cars or even a large sport utility vehicle. More information on this issue may be found through the EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality.
A motorcycle qualifies as a carpool if more than one person is riding the same cycle.
What if I use a scooter?
Power-assisted bicycles qualify as a bicycle. Motorized scooters of any type, whether meeting license requirements or not, count towards the program only when more than one person is sharing the commute, for the same reasons as listed above for motorcycles.
What if I use a wheelchair?
Trips made by wheelchair are eligible in the "walking" category, as long as the trip replaces a drive-alone vehicle trip.
Are other types of foot-powered transportation are eligible under the "walking" category?
Yes, as long as it is a method of transportation where the foot is in contact with the ground, it is eligible in the "walking" category. This includes skateboards, jogging, rollerblading, and non-motorized scooters, as long as the trip replaces a drive-alone vehicle trip. It does not include Segways.
How did you calculate how much pollution I prevented and how much money I saved by making Smart Trips?
We used Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Emission Facts (PDF 120K) to calculate the average emissions and fuel consumption for passenger cars. The document also contains statistics for SUVs and light trucks.
We used AAA statistics on average gas prices in Washington State to calculate money saved. If prices change dramatically, we'll update the price used in our calculation.
I'm not interested in prizes or material rewards. Are there other reasons to record my commute trips?
When you record your commute trips, you become more aware of your daily transportation choices and patterns. We will tell you how many vehicle miles you eliminated and how much air pollution you've prevented from being emitted. Plus, you show support for the program and help encourage others to take part.
