The SANDAG iCommute Diamond Awards honor companies, organizations, schools, agencies, and individuals for their outstanding contributions to promoting, and garnering participation in, alternative transportation choices in the San Diego region. Diamond Awards winners help people get to work or school without adding traffic to the region’s roads and freeways, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve mobility. This is accomplished by promoting alternatives to driving alone including vanpooling, carpooling, walking, biking, taking transit, teleworking, working a compressed workweek, or a combination of these. Some organizations also provide incentives, subsidies, or pre-tax benefits to their employees to support their participation in eligible programs.
Winners were announced at the March 22 SANDAG Board of Directors meeting. They also will receive recognition in a print ad in a regional newspaper, on the SANDAG Facebook page, and mention in a SANDAG press release.
The SANDAG iCommute Diamond Awards has recognized outstanding commuter programs since 2002. Diamond Awards was revamped for 2013, with new categories for organization awards, including multiple awards in some categories based on the number of employees. Additionally, individual awards now recognize those who demonstrate a commitment to promoting sustainable transportation choices in their workplace, school, community, or through their own commuting practices.
2013 Organization Awards
PROGRAM EXCELLENCE by size category: Recognizes companies that have demonstrated success in promoting and implementing commuter programs that encourage alternative commute choices to driving alone.
BEST NEW PROGRAM by size category: Recognizes successful new commuter programs or efforts to promote sustainable transportation choices for employees (launched within the last two years).
ALL-STAR AWARD: Honors past winners of Diamond Awards with longstanding commuter programs that have demonstrated a sustained commitment to transportation choices for employees through new/expanded programming.
OUTSTANDING EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION: Recognizes an educational institution that has demonstrated a commitment to providing, and success in achieving increased participation in, sustainable transportation solutions for staff and students. One award was given for K-12 schools and one award for colleges/universities.
AGENCY LEADERSHIP AWARD: Champions a public agency that has demonstrated leadership in promoting and advancing sustainable transportation choices for employees.
2013 Individual Awards
COMMUNITY CHAMPION: Recognizes a community-based organization or individual who has demonstrated leadership in encouraging sustainable transportation choices in the community.
WORKPLACE CHAMPION: Recognizes an outstanding employee for going above and beyond their peers to promote and garner employee participation in alternative transportation choices.
COMMUTER OF THE YEAR: Recognizes an individual who exemplifies exceptional commuting practices year-round.
In addition to these winners, check out the list of previous winners of Diamond Awards from 2002-2010. The 2013 winners join a growing list of exemplary organizations and individuals doing their part to improve commuting in the San Diego region.
If you would like assistance in setting up a commuter program at your organization, or if you would like more information about other iCommute programs and services, please call 511 and say ”iCommute” and an employer representative will assist you.
For more information call, 511 and say “iCommute” or email icommute@sandag.org.
program highlight
starter kit
San Diego area employers can get a free Commuter Benefit Program Starter Kit to help develop and implement a commuter policy and benefits program. The kit contains a simple, three-step process to help you identify your needs, design a custom program, and roll it out to your employees.
Nomination Guidelines
Previous Winners 2010 Award Winners
Employer Services