Having completed its first year of service, AT&T's Transportation Systems Management program offers an impressive list of accomplishments.

According to Regional Telecommunications Manager Tom Watkins who is the AT&T executive with overall responsibility for the company's TSM program, plans implemented to alleviate traffic and parking congestion have met with overwhelming employee responses in the company's ever-expanding attempt to preserve Pleasanton's unique quality of life.

AT&T's TSM program was launched last summer with the formation of the carpool/vanpool referral service by AT&T's Transportation Manager Dale Chesnutt. The carpool program is run in conjunction with the Park-wide program managed by the Hacienda Owners Association.

Through promotional efforts held over the past year such as employee transportation meetings, lunch time information tables and cash drawings, Chesnutt's office has placed over 950 employees in 300 carpools and vanpools.

At the first of the year when a new city ordinance mandated the development of TSM programs by all local employers, Chesnutt painted the first of 223 bright yellow preferential parking spaces for carpoolers at AT&T's Hacienda Business Park offices. "The ordinance required a 15 percent reduction · in traffic flow during peak commute hours within the first year," explained Chesnutt, "and we have responded with a 50.6 percent reduction -- more than triple the city's requirement.

Although increasing the number of commuters, staggered workshifts combined with employees use of commute alternatives has made this success possible, carpooling by commuters was his first focused effort. Chesnutt's campaign did not stop with that. During the spring months, attempts were stepped up to promote other "public alternatives to driving alone to the 500 AT&T employees who live within a five mile radius of Hacienda Business Park.

We've been working hand in hand with the City as it plans the local bus service,"  he continued, "and believe that the initiation of that service will round out our efforts to reduce traffic generated by AT&T people who live locally,"

In addition, AT&T has encouraged walking and bicycle riding as practical, healthy ways for its employees to get to work when the weather is nice. Bike racks at several of the company's Hacienda buildings have been upgraded to insure increased security and convenience for bikers.

"AT&T's efforts are further complemented by Hacienda Park's new shuttle service," says Chesnutt, "which provides transportation for our employees to and from BART during commute hours and to downtown Pleasanton and Stoneridge Mall during lunch hours."

"Our next step" Chesnutt explains, "is to intensify and personalize our carpool ridematching program. We hope to make more employees who live in communities like Concord, Walnut Creek and Tracy aware that there may be an opportunity for carpooling.

To see a reproduction of the original article and edition of Pleasanton Pathways, visit: September 9, 1985.