Countywide : Firms Cited for Helping Cut Freeway Congestion

Thomas and Betts Electronics of Tustin had only 70 parking spaces for its 130 employees, so it began encouraging its employees to car-pool to work. Five months later, two-thirds of the work force was sharing a ride.

Parker Hannifin Corp. of Irvine subsidizes half of its employees’ van-pooling costs, and even offers spouses a ride to work if they are employed nearby.

The Internal Revenue Service’s Laguna Niguel district has 90% of its 2,000 employees on alternative work schedules that allow them to avoid rush-hour commutes.

The three employers are examples of private companies and government agencies working to reduce congestion on Orange County freeways that were honored Thursday by the Orange County Transportation Commission in its annual “Transportation Partnership” awards presentation.

“We cannot buy or build our way out of the problem” of traffic congestion, Irvine Co. government relations consultant Robert Shelton said in introducing the 1986 honorees. “We cannot simply throw money at the problem and expect to solve it. That means that more efficient use of the system is critical.”

In growing numbers, county business and government leaders are recognizing the effectiveness of “transportation system management.” The effort, best exemplified during the Olympics, emphasizes efficient use of existing roads and highways.

“Transportation Partnership” winners made significant efforts last year to promote ride-sharing, flexible work hours and other creative efforts to maximize the use of Orange County’s transportation resources, Shelton said.

In the ride-sharing category, the winners were Walter Schorsack, van-pool coordinator for Northrop Corp.’s electromechanical division in Anaheim; Thomas and Betts Electronics, and Parker Hannifin Corp.

Receiving awards for promoting flexible work hours were Fluorocarbon Corp.’s Anaheim division and the IRS.

Another category was for those who provided significant employee incentives, such as free bus passes, time off or cash bonuses for car-pooling, or close-in parking spaces for car poolers; the winners were Pacific Bell; World Airways; Debra Vajcner, marketing specialist for the Orange County Transit District; Setco Inc. and Charlton Associates.

Cited for traffic circulation improvements, including traffic signal coordination, parking restrictions, car-pool lanes or simply promoting the most efficient use of the traffic system, were the Irvine Co., the Orange County Environmental Management Agency, Caltrans, the Los Angeles Times Orange County Edition, Supervisor Ralph B. Clark and KABC Newstalk Radio.