They Are The Champions: How Arlington County Is Forging A More Sustainable Future

As cities across the country work to reduce their negative environmental impact, the spotlight is increasingly turning toward automotive carbon emissions.

The majority of carbon emissions come from the transportation sector, and with 90% of companies reporting that they expect employees to return to the office at least part of the time by the end of 2024, concerns around an increase in commuters are growing. 

In response, more businesses and municipalities are thinking about how to implement sustainable transportation initiatives.  

Arlington County, Virginia, named one of the nation’s most “eco-forward” places, is spearheading sustainable transportation initiatives for its residents with the help of local employers. 

“We’ve seen an uptick in employers who are interested in offering commuter benefits programs at the workplace compared to a few years ago,” said Rachel Coppe, program manager at Arlington Transportation Partners, Arlington County Commuter Services’ business-to-business transportation demand management arm. “With the emergence of hybrid work, commuter benefits can still make a difference.”

Hybrid work schedules have become the most common form of work in the D.C. metro area, with the 48% of all workers utilizing the model far outnumbering the 13% of workers in the office five days a week. And while nearly 40% of the area’s workers already use public transportation such as Capital Bikeshare, the Metrorail system and Arlington Transit to get to the office, Coppe said that number could still be higher.

Arlington County is going the extra mile with its Champions Program, a rewards program for employers, residential and commercial properties, and hotels looking to forge a more sustainable future for the county, Coppe said.

The Champions Program is entering its 10th year, with more than 540 companies and properties enrolling over the years. Through the program, Arlington Transportation Partners has assisted with the implementation of more than 3,000 multimodal and sustainable transportation programs and amenities. In 2023, 27 Champions offered SmarTrip cards to their employees and residents, 50 Champions implemented hybrid work policies and 12 Champions earned a Bicycle Friendly Business designation by the League of American Bicyclists, said Fadi Seikaly, marketing director at ATP.

While ATP works with businesses from every sector to promote sustainability, Coppe said it has noticed that multifamily and commercial property managers have significantly upgraded their amenities to encourage tenants and residents to use public transportation during their commute.

The Earl Apartments in Arlington's Clarendon neighborhood bought an electric cargo bike for its residents as an alternative to driving around town or to work. This step taken toward reducing carbon emissions and providing residents with a sustainable transportation option earned the property platinum-level recognition, the highest level in the program.

Other notable multifamily Champions included Park Georgetown Apartments near Rosslyn. The building upgraded its bike storage room and tool station last year to encourage residents to ride to work. The Residences at Liberty Center advocated for sustainable transport by hosting a bike tuneup event for its residents.

“The way people work and commute will continue evolving in 2024, which makes the implementation of commuter benefits and the promotion of sustainable transportation options all the more valuable,” Coppe said.

ATP is expecting to see several new transportation trends in Arlington County this year, as well as in the greater D.C. region. Coppe said that more electric bicycles and scooters will take to the streets of Arlington, thanks to the new series of electric bikes from Capital Bikeshare that boast a stronger motor. Residents can also expect to see modernized Metro rail cars as well as public bike and scooter parking corrals across the city.

Perhaps the most impactful change the region will see this year is increased pretax commuter benefits, Coppe said. In late 2023, the IRS announced it would allow commuting employees an extra $150 annually to spend on public transportation. ATP expects more businesses in Arlington County will take advantage of this opportunity to not only give back to employees but to reduce their future taxes.

Are you an employer or a property manager in Arlington County? You can stand out from the competition and become a leader in sustainability by joining Champions 2024.

This article was produced in collaboration between the Arlington Transportation Partners and Studio B. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.

Studio B is Bisnow’s in-house content and design studio. To learn more about how Studio B can help your team, reach out to studio@bisnow.com.