I Need to Get Out of My Car

Back in 2005, I accepted a position at an architecture firm in Alexandria and commuted 20 miles each way from Fairfax in my Honda Civic.   I would try different routes to avoid congestions, to no avail, and immediately became aware of the drive-alone commuters beside me as I was making my way across town.  I was disgusted by the wasteful mean in which we were all trying to get to work.  Surely there had to be a better way!  I looked into carpooling, but was discouraged by the possibility of being trapped in a car with a creepy guy. I considered metroing, but it wasn’t conveniently situated near my home. Finally, I thought about moving closer to work.  This seemed the most obvious solution because it would cut down on my mileage and time in the car.

Two years into my job, I was able to afford living in close proximity to work. I’ve decreased my mileage by about 10,000 miles per year.  But as I realized through calculating my carbon and ecological footprints a few weeks ago, my transportation habits are my biggest contributions to climate change.  So, I took a closer look at where I drive in a typical year and the alternatives to driving.

• Visit family 3,952 miles per year
• Alternative:  Train ride = 21 hours/trip vs. 6 hours in car

King Street is the closest Metro stop to my apartment

• Commute to School 2,160 miles per year 
• Alternative: 1 hour 15 minutes on bus + I would need a ride from bus stop to home

• Commute to Work 2,600 miles per year
• Alternative: 20 minutes on bus + 10 minute walk
• Alternative: 30 minute bike without shower

Dash Bus--I can take this from home to work

• Travel to Entertainment (in DC metro area) 336 miles per year
• Alternative:  A bus would add 20 – 30 minutes each way
• Alternative:  Hybrid taxi – might cost more money (cab fare vs.  gas and parking fees)

• Shopping trips 960 miles per year
• Alternative:  No reasonable public transport to Leesburg, VA.

• Trips to Beach 512 miles per year
• Alternative:  No pubic transportation
• Alternative:  Carpool

King Street Trolley

• Work Meetings 312 miles per year
• Alternative:  Bus ride takes an hour vs. driving would take 40 minutes. 

• Grocery Shopping 520 miles per year
• Alternative:  Bus ride 20 minutes + walking + pushing a cart

In some instances it’s not reasonable to mass transit, such as driving to visit family and going to the beach.  There is a convenience factor that I will discuss further in my next blog.

In addition to taking a look at my car driving habits, I’ve considered the following:

Riding a motorcycle

-Motorcycles get better mileage because they are smaller and lighter.

This could be a lot of fun!

-Less emissions (this depends on the model and year) 

http://www.helium.com/items/821448-guide-to-motorcycle-fuel-consumption-gas-mileage

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE69346E20101004

Checking the air pressure and adding air to my tires

Regular car maintenance

-Oil changes

-Replace air filter

-Check air in tires

-Conservative driving 

My next step is to try alternatives to typical driving habits.  Next week, I’ll write about my experiences using mass transit and biking to work.