Throughout October 2024, Go Glendale administered their annual Commute Survey. The Commute Survey serves as a way to gather helpful data on how residents and employees of our member sites travel to work. This allows us to understand the commuting trends within our membership, including why residents and employees choose their commute type and what would encourage a switch to a mode which is more sustainable. Go Glendale will use the data and feedback gathered to implement strategies, including educational resources and events, to encourage more efficient transportation options like carpooling, public transit, or cycling, ultimately serving our mission to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality, accessibility, and mobility.
The key factor that we look for when conducting the survey is the Average Vehicle Ridership, or AVR. The AVR is calculated by taking the number of trips taken to or from a work or residential site and dividing it by the number of those trips taken alone in a private vehicle. In 2024, the AVR of our surveyed members was 2.41. This was an 8% improvement from the 2023 AVR of 2.21 and is well above the city-mandated AVR of 1.25.
Another factor that we look for is the travel mode split, or the portion of residents and employees using each different type of commute. Our categories were driving alone, ridesharing, carpooling, taking the bus, taking the train, riding a bike, walking, and teleworking. Out of these categories, an improvement of note was in how many people were taking trips in private vehicles. Last year, 55% of members surveyed said they drove alone as their commute. In 2024, only 45% said they drove alone. Additionally, we saw increased percentages in the number of people carpooling, taking the train, riding a bike, walking, and teleworking.
We also ask survey respondents which other modes of commute they would be interested in trying. Around 35% of respondents said they would like to try taking the train and around 26% said they would like to try taking the bus.
The results of the 2024 Commute Survey reveal exciting progress in Glendale’s transportation habits. With a noticeable decrease in the number of people driving alone, along with increases in sustainable modes, we are moving closer to a more efficient, accessible, and environmentally friendly future for Glendale. Improvements in AVR and the portion of trips taken in a car alone points to positive changes happening within our community.
At Go Glendale, we are proud to be working with our member organizations in continuing these positive changes. By listening to feedback provided by our surveyed members, we will continue to provide and improve our resources, events, and educational opportunities. Whether it’s promoting carpooling, organizing try transit events, or offering guidance on biking routes, Go Glendale is excited to keep moving forward with you to make your transportation experiences more active, sustainable, and fun.
As we look ahead, we remain dedicated to supporting these positive shifts and expanding our efforts to make commuting easier and better for the environment. We are grateful for the continued participation and engagement of our members, and we look forward to helping even more individuals discover efficient ways to travel in and around Glendale.
Together, we are driving change—one commute at a time.