WATERLOO, Ont. — Carpoolers who want to reduce their vehicle use and emissions now have a national Web site specifically designed to help them look for a ride to and from work every day.

CarpoolTool.com is the first and only Web site offering free ride-matching to commuters in every part of Canada.

The site is a partnership between the Waterloo Public Interest Research Group, a non-profit research group at the University of Waterloo, and DMTI Spatial Inc., which provides geospatial products and services.

The site’s project manager, Daryl Novak, says CarpoolTool.com uses a powerful matching algorithm to calculate exact latitude and longitude coordinates. The site also features multiple strips and schedules, street maps, cost and emission calculations and automatic notification when ride matches are available.

“Our Web site will help Canadians save money and the environment,” says Novak.

With the Climate Change Plan, Ottawa is challenging Canadians to reduce vehicle use by 10 per cent a year. Depending on the number of people in a carpool, greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced up to four times when compared to driving alone. Reductions will help Canada meet its commitment to the Kyoto Protocol.