From carpooling and riding bicycles to taking trains and utilizing other transportation options, motorists across the country are finding creative and alternative ways to meet personal mobility needs. A variety of transportation modes and commuting initiatives offer choices to meet individual travel needs and help ensure healthier environment.

In the last 15 years, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of companies offering and employees engaging in a wide range of telecommuting options. Telecommuting includes working from remote locations, satellite offices and homes using computers, telephones, fax machines and other technology to avoid traveling to an office.

Along with helping conserve energy and reduce traffic congestion and emissions, telecommuting helps people maintain a balance between work and family responsibilities. All Federal agencies are required to identify positions that are appropriate for telecommuting and offer opportunities for employees to use the practice. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management is a good resource for learning more about telecommuting guidelines.

Carpooling, also referred to as ride-sharing, allows people to travel together to a destination in one vehicle. Carpool projects have been around in some form since the mid-1970s. While many carpools originate through word of mouth, recent advances in technology and public familiarity with the Internet have led to more formal carpooling opportunities and services.

Carpooling provides a variety of individual and public benefits by reducing fuel usage, parking expenses, pollution and congestion. Some areas have special facilities for carpoolers, including designated pickup points and high-occupancy vehicle lanes. Check with your community, employer or friends about carpooling options in your area.

Public transportation is an essential part of a balanced transportation system. Including use of buses, trains, walkways, bicycle paths, air service and highways, it is a system that consists of more than 140,000 vehicles traveling more than 48 billion passenger miles and collecting more than $8.5 billion in passenger fares. In the last 10 years, the transit industry has grown by more than 20 percent -- faster than either highway or air travel, according to the Federal Transit Administration. Public transportation plays a vital role in helping to meet individual and the nation's mobility needs. Check out the American Public Transportation Association map to find public transit options in your state.

Trip-chaining - combining errands into one trip - is another option to save time and money. Information is available at the U.S. Department of Transportation's It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air public education initiative.

Trip-chaining tips:

• Plan ahead. Take a moment to plan out your route and think about what else you might need to get done.
• Make a list. Think about everything that you need and get it all done at once to avoid last-minute trips.
• Find the best route. A number of Internet sites can help you plan the shortest, most efficient route. GPS receivers also can help.
• Try making only right turns. Studies show that left turns tend to take more time and waste more gas than right turns because drivers often have to wait for traffic to clear and lights to change.
• Avoid backtracking by following a more efficient, preplanned route.
• Combine errands. Pick up your drycleaning on your way to the grocery store to avoid an unnecessary trip.
• Use closer stores. Explore neighborhood shops, and try walking to lunch at a nearby restaurant instead of driving to one farther away.
• Group your appointments together. Combine trips to the dentist and doctor when possible.
• Consider one-stop shopping. Many stores and shopping centers may offer the opportunity to get all your errands done in just one stop.