Commute Less Act of 2015

To amend titles 23 and 49, United States Code, with respect to congestion mitigation and metropolitan transportation planning, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Commute Less Act of 2015 2. Metropolitan transportation planning (a) Definitions Section 5303(b) (1) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (9); (2) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (6) as paragraphs (2) through (7), respectively; (3) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so redesignated by paragraph (2) of this subsection) the following: (1) Employer-based commuter program The term employer-based commuter program (A) A carpool program. (B) A vanpool program. (C) A transit benefit program. (D) A parking cash-out program. (E) A shuttle program. (F) A telework program. ; and (4) by inserting before paragraph (9) (as so redesignated by paragraph (1) of this subsection) the following: (8) Transportation management organization The term transportation management organization . (b) Development of transportation plan (1) Transportation plan Section 5303(i)(2) (I) Employer outreach activities and strategies Proposed activities and strategies to provide outreach to employers and transportation management organizations to facilitate the creation and expansion of employer-based commuter programs. . (2) Participation by interested parties Section 5303(i)(6)(A) the disabled, representatives of employers and transportation management organizations, (c) Metropolitan TIP Section 5303(j)(2)(A) , including projects identified in a relevant commuter trip reduction plan developed under subsection (r). (d) Transportation management areas Section 5303(k)(3) (C) Employer involvement A process for addressing congestion management under subparagraph (A) shall be developed in coordination with any relevant employer advisory council established under subsection (r) and shall include projects identified in the commuter trip reduction plan of that council. . (e) Employer advisory councils and information clearinghouse Section 5303 (r) Employer advisory councils (1) In general Each metropolitan planning organization serving a transportation management area shall establish an employer advisory council that consists of representatives of employers in the area served by the metropolitan planning organization. (2) Membership (A) In general An employer advisory council shall consist of not less than 7 representatives of employers and representatives of identified transportation management organizations in the area served by the relevant metropolitan planning organization. (B) Ensuring a diverse cross-section of employers In establishing an employer advisory council, a metropolitan planning organization, to the extent practicable, shall ensure that the membership of the council includes a diverse cross-section of employers from the area served by the organization. (3) Commuter trip reduction plan An employer advisory council established under paragraph (1) shall develop and maintain a commuter trip reduction plan that identifies— (A) commuting patterns in the area served by the relevant metropolitan planning organization; (B) area goals for the reduction of vehicle miles traveled during peak commuting hours; (C) existing and proposed employer-based commuter programs in the area; (D) a series of projects and activities to facilitate achievement of the goals identified under subparagraph (B); and (E) a financing plan for the projects and activities identified under subparagraph (D). (s) Information clearinghouse The Secretary is authorized to make a grant to a national nonprofit organization engaged in efforts relating to employer-based commuter programs or another entity to— (1) establish and operate an information clearinghouse relating to employer investment in transportation and employer-based commuter programs; (2) develop an education program with respect to employer investment in transportation and employer-based commuter programs; and (3) provide technical assistance relating to employer-based commuter programs and disseminate techniques and strategies used by successful employer-based commuter programs. . 3. Congestion mitigation during project construction Section 106 (k) Congestion mitigation plans (1) Requirement A recipient of Federal financial assistance under this title for a project with an estimated total cost of $75,000,000 or more or that will reduce traffic flow (as defined by the Secretary) for more than 120 days shall prepare a congestion mitigation plan for such project that includes funding for projects to reduce vehicle miles traveled during peak commuting hours along the impacted corridor. (2) Coordination A recipient shall prepare a congestion mitigation plan under paragraph (1) in coordination with any relevant employer advisory council established under section 5303(r) of title 49. (3) Review by Secretary A congestion mitigation plan prepared under paragraph (1) shall be made available to the Secretary for review upon the request of the Secretary. . 4. Employer-based commuter programs action plan (a) In general The Secretary of Transportation shall develop and implement a plan to expand and promote employer-based commuter programs (as defined in section 5303(b) of title 49, United States Code). (b) Contents The plan developed under subsection (a) shall include plans— (1) to amend existing regulations and guidance and, if necessary, develop new regulations and guidance to ensure that employer-based commuter programs are integrated, to the extent possible, into all appropriate Federal transportation programs; (2) to identify best practices with respect to employer-based commuter programs; (3) to research the effectiveness and efficiency of employer-based commuter programs; and (4) to create a national and regional peer exchange program to ensure that developments with respect to employer-based commuter programs are shared and issues are addressed. (c) Timing Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall finalize and begin implementation of the plan developed under subsection (a). (d) Report to Congress Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report on the implementation and impact of the plan developed under subsection (a). 5. Disaster preparedness report (a) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report with recommendations on how to better integrate employer-based commuter programs (as defined in section 5303(b) (b) Coordination In preparing the report under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with— (1) the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency; and (2) stakeholders, including national and regional organizations and experts that promote employer-based commuter programs.

Summary: Commute Less Act of 2015 Requires metropolitan planning organization (MPO) transportation plans to include, among other things, employer and transportation management organization outreach activities and strategies to help create and expand employer-based commuter programs. Defines "employer-based commuter program" to mean a program implemented by employers to provide their employees with alternatives to driving to and from work in a vehicle occupied by a single individual. Requires each MPO to establish an employer advisory council consisting of representatives of employers in the transportation management area. Requires each council to develop and maintain a commuter trip reduction plan that identifies area goals for the reduction of vehicle miles traveled during peak commuting hours. Requires MPO transportation improvement programs to include, among other things, a list of projects identified in a commuter trip reduction plan that help achieve such reduction goals. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make a grant to a national nonprofit organization or other entity engaged in efforts relating to employer-based commuter programs to establish and operate an information clearinghouse for employer investment in transportation and employer-based commuter programs. Requires recipients of federal assistance for the construction of federal-aid highway projects costing $75 million or more, or that will reduce traffic flow for more than 120 days, to prepare congestion mitigation plans that include funding for projects to reduce vehicle miles traveled during peak commuting hours along impacted corridors. Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop and implement a plan to expand and promote employer-based commuter programs; and (2) report to Congress recommendations on how to better integrate such programs into disaster emergency planning, preparedness, and response activities.