Commuters Take a Break from the Exhaust
›› 18 local employers participate in challenge

When Kansas City commuters have a chance to Take a Break from the Exhaust, they do it. This summer, more than 670 workers representing 18 employers signed up for an online challenge to do less solo driving, particularly during peak commute times. The challenge, named Take a Break from the Exhaust, resulted in approximately 460,000 miles of reduced driving and significant reductions in harmful vehicle emissions.
Take a Break from the Exhaust is a Web-based program developed in South Carolina that allows commuters to report activities they take that reduce driving alone, including:

		Staying in for lunch instead of going out
		Carpooling
		Taking the bus to work
		Telecommuting
		Flexible scheduling

The Kansas City Take a Break challenge was sponsored by MARC’s Air Quality and RideShare programs. During July and August, random prize drawings were done each week, and grand prizes were awarded at the end of each month.

Employers who participated in Take a Break from the Exhaust:

Coffeyville Resources
Commerce Bank
Commercial Lithographing
DLR Group
Embarq
Garmin International
Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce
Hallmark
Johnson County
Kansas City Area Transportation Authority
Kansas City, Mo.
Mid-America Regional Council
Missouri Department of Transportation
Shook, Hardy & Bacon
Social Security Administration
State Street
Terracon
UMB

Additionally, 65 registered members of RideShare’s Guaranteed Ride Home program participated in Take a Break from the Exhaust.