The Transportation Outreach Program (Rule 211) was the first of its kind in the nation. Rule 211 encourages companies to voluntarily participate in reducing vehicle trips to improve air pollution and reduce traffic congestion.
The district’s Transportation Outreach Program assists employers by offering the following services:
- Distribution of educational materials highlighting individual choices that can improve air quality
- Presentations to employees about air quality, transportation, health effects of air pollution, and the benefits of various commute options
- Provision of transportation demand management expertise
- Acknowledgment of exceptional voluntary efforts through a district recognition program
For more information, see the full text of Rule 211 and the associated Compliance Assistance Advisory.
Need more information?
Brian Serros, Air Quality Specialist
805-303-3657
brian@vcapcd.org
More People, Vehicles, Emissions
More than half of Ventura County’s air pollution comes from motor vehicles. Our growing population is causing more vehicles to be driven more miles under more congested conditions. These changes in vehicle activity increase emissions and offset a large part of the emission reductions being achieved by the production and sale of new cleaner-running vehicles.
History
Adopted by the Ventura County Air Pollution Control Board in 1998, Rule 211 is a voluntary mobile source emission reduction program (VMEP). Beginning in 1998, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) allowed VMEPs to be used on a limited basis to fulfill federal emission reduction mandates. The VMEP program required the VCAPCD to monitor and report to the EPA on the actual emission reductions achieved by the Rule 211 Transportation Outreach Program.
Overview
Rule 211 requires employers to register with the district annually and conduct employee commute surveys every two years. It also allows the district to assist employers with their voluntary trip reduction efforts.
District staff tabulates the survey data collected from employers and uses it to calculate the emission reductions achieved by employees’ use of alternative transportation modes for work commute trips. The district collects this data and reports the actual emission reductions achieved by the Transportation Outreach Program's voluntary efforts to the EPA.
Required Employers
Rule 211 applies to any employer with 100 or more employees reporting to a worksite. Worksites where less than 50 employees regularly report for work weekdays between 6 and 10 a.m. are exempt from requirements to conduct commute surveys.
The term "worksite" includes all facilities owned, occupied or operated by the employer on contiguous properties.
For cases where applicability is in question because the number of employees at a worksite is close to the threshold, applicability is determined based on the greatest number of employees reported to the State of California Employment Development Department during the past 12 months.
See the full text of Rule 211 for additional details and definitions.
Registration
All employers who meet the applicability criteria are required to register within 30 days of becoming subject to the rule or receiving a notice from the district. Information collected at registration includes:
- Employer name
- Worksite location
- Number of employees
- Name of designated contact person
- Senior management contact person
Employers are required to update registration information annually within 30 days of receiving a notice from the district. Email the completed Employer Registration Form annually to brian@vcapcd.org.
Survey
Rule 211 requires employers to conduct surveys of their employees’ commuting patterns once every two years in order to gauge the effectiveness of the district’s Transportation Outreach Program. Surveys must be conducted in accordance with district guidelines.
The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) offers free online survey tools, data entry and aggregation, reporting and personal assistance to help companies comply with requirements. For details, see the VCTC Rule 211 Brochure.
Violations
Failure to register, update registration or conduct a survey in a timely manner consistent with approved guidance are violations of Rule 211. A Notice of Violation may be issued to the facility, resulting in monetary penalties or court prosecutions.
Definitions
The term "employee" is defined as any person hired by an employer to work for a wage or salary during 16 or more consecutive weeks. This includes part-time, temporary and contracted employees.
The term "employer" is defined as any employer with an account number issued by the State of California Employment Development Department.
The term "worksite" includes facilities that are in physical contact or on contiguous properties separated solely by a public or private roadway.
For more information and details about the definitions, see Rule 211.