More than 100 air quality and transportation professionals from across the country use the Exchange to share ideas and information on their public education and outreach activities, get feedback, find out about new tools, and learn what other communities are doing to address air quality and transportation problems. Initially launched as a tool for It All Adds Up Community Partners, members of the public and private sectors now use the Exchange to discuss a broad range of air quality and transportation issues. A sampling of information recently “Exchanged” includes:

• The U.S. Census Bureau, International Telework Association and Council, and the Financial Times all have published reports discussing the increase in telecommuting. The statistics and findings could be particularly useful as you promote telecommuting to area employers and employees. For more information and links, click here.
  
  
• Sometimes the best way to convince people that the small changes they make can make a big difference is to show them exactly how much of a difference they’ll be making! John Edwards of the Telework Coalition has posted a calculator that can be used to determine how much telecommuting can reduce vehicle emissions. It’s a great tool for both employers and employees who want to promote telecommuting in their work places. For a link to the calculator, click here.
  
  
• The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Bureau has developed an interesting tool to promote trip chaining. They created an errand notepad that reminds people to combine their trips, which they distribute at events they attend. For more information, click here.

Our Community Partners use the Exchange to share ideas, products, and research results; promote events; and recognize each other’s efforts. Signing up only takes a few minutes and it’s free. Simply complete a “My Interests” form. And once you’re signed up for the Exchange, don’t forget to use it to tell us about your activities, lessons learned, and progress in reaching the public—if you do, you could appear in a future edition of this newsletter!