As summer gives way to fall, it is important to remember that traffic congestion and air quality concerns don’t disappear behind the changing colors of the leaves. As people head back to work and school, fall is a good time to remind drivers about the simple things they can do to help reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.

This fall, It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air is providing a number of materials and online resources built on the theme of alternate modes of transportation. The fall messages are: take mass transit, and ride your bike or walk instead of driving, and share a ride or carpool. The fall materials include:

• A list of event/activity suggestions for promoting the fall tips
• A flyer with the fall tips that can be used to promote the messages at events and in mailings
• A consumer fact sheet with tips and statistics that you can use “as is” or incorporate into your collateral materials
• Flash animation to post on your Web site and to email to your network of contacts
• An online quiz for you and your partners to post on your Web sites
• "DJ Dialogue" suggestions and vanpool song for radio DJs to read on air to stimulate fun conversations among their listeners about carpooling
• Three radio ad scripts that can be easily customized with local information and taped or read live by community leaders or your local radio personalities
• Eight print ads that can be used in advertising and other outreach
• Seven outdoor transit ads that your partners may want to sponsor
• A press release template to use in your public relations program
• A sample newsletter article to promote your involvement in the initiative

The It All Adds Up fall program coincides with several national, regional, and local efforts to improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion, including:

• International Walk-to-School Week, October 4-8, 2004. The Partnership for a Walkable America sponsored the first Walk to School Day in 1997. Now a full week, this event is bringing together children, parents, teachers, and community leaders in 29 countries around the world. Last year 2.5 million people participated. This year join in the fun and teach your community’s children one simple way they can help reduce traffic congestion, clean up the air, and be active! For more information, visit the Web site
  
  
• Communities in Motion Day, October 7, 2004. The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) sponsors this one-day event celebrating public transportation and showcasing how transit benefits communities. Communities from coast-to-coast are making plans to participate in the celebration. Download a 2004 Communities in Motion toolkit from APTA’s Web site
  
  
• 2004 Asthma Walk. Local chapters of the American Lung Association (ALA) are conducting walks nationwide to raise funds to provide education and research to help control and find a cure for asthma. Contact your local ALA chapter by calling 1-800-LUNGUSA or visit www.lungusa.org to learn more about participating in the 2004 Asthma Walk.

DOT and EPA will continue their coordinated efforts to promote the It All Adds Up To Cleaner Air fall messages through a variety of activities, including:

We hope the fall materials and online resources will aid your outreach efforts this season. Please let us hear from you about the ways you adapt these materials for your community and your success in reaching your target audience(s). And please let us know if you have ideas for future seasons – we rely on your feedback as we look for ways to improve the initiative. Please send us a note to let us know what you’re thinking!