Long-time readers of MikeOnTraffic know that we believe in examining both the supply side (geometry, traffic control, etc.) and demand side (trip generation) in our studies, most recently seen here. In some of our work, reducing the demand side of a proposed development is formalized in a Travel Demand Management Plan (also shortened to TDMP). A TDMP identifies strategies to reduce congestion or mitigate other traffic concerns and is an official document that binds a developer to those strategies (i.e. they become part of the permitting process). Through the implementation of the TDMP strategies, the traffic generation and parking demand can be reduced, improving the efficiency of travel and decreasing parking needs.
We have previously studied TDMPs and found that, on average, an office building that implements the TDMP strategies will have 34-37% traffic and 17-24% less parking on site. You can read more about our study here.
Our list of strategies is constantly changing to reflect new options and more effective ways to provide information as well as being customized to each specific site and land use. A recent project in Minneapolis caused us to expand well beyond our previous list of strategies (working cooperatively with both the developer and the City) as we thought about ways to meet the desired goal of 70 percent of the site’s transportation trips being made by transit, bicycling, or walking. Below is a list of these TDMP strategies:
- Designate a Transportation Coordinator to
- Monitor/maintain TDMP activities and progress toward the goal through surveys and status reports
- Implement changes to the TDMP based on its effectiveness, which could result in the expansion, maintenance, or elimination of specific strategies
- Liaison with commuter services and local transit agency/office/administration
- Create an Information Packet for new residents or employees highlighting alternative transportation options, programs, and incentives
- Maintain awareness of alternative transportation options and changes through a dedicated web site, emails, flyers, posters in frequented locations, etc.
- Allow flexible work hours
- Establish a fee for parking
- Promote carpooling or carpool services via
- preferred front-door parking spaces
- free or reduced charges for parking
- Promote Transit via
- Real-time transit displays in lobbies or break rooms
- Electronic devices, such as iPads, in lobbies or break rooms that allow access to map multi-modal routes
- Discounted or free transit passes, or other incentive programs (Go-To Cars, U-Pass, etc.), to residents or employees
- New or expanded van-pool services
- “Guaranteed Ride Home” programs for emergency situations
- Appropriate signage to direct users to transit stops
- Sidewalk or trail connections to nearby transit stops
- Promote walking via
- Connections to the trail or sidewalk network
- Vision-impaired allowances per ADA requirements
- Well-lit sidewalks
- Minimizing conflicts with vehicles, including shorter crossing distance where feasible
- Promote biking via
- Convenient and safe long-term storage/parking that should include covered spaces to avoid weather concerns
- Convenient and safe short-term parking for guests/visitors, ideally located near the front doors
- Connections to nearby trails
- Appropriate signage to direct users to and from major trail corridors
- On-site locker rooms or agreements with nearby health clubs
- Repair stations and/or other types of free maintenance activities, ideally located near the long-term parking
- Partnership with short-term bicycle rental facilities, such as Nice Ride, which could include incentives for use or locating a station on site
- Partnering with local bike shops to provide discounts and incentives
- Minimize the impact of trucks via
- Changing deliveries away from peak hours (7-9am and 4-6pm)
- Accommodate truck movements, including loading areas, on-site rather than on the street
- Provide shared car or shared bicycle programs
- For residential developments, provide high-speed internet access allowing for telecommuting
- Host Bike, Walk, or Transit Days periodically to provide a fun and supportive atmosphere to try an alternative mode, which could include ‘pit-stops’ with free refreshments, music, and give-aways
That’s our list – what would you add?
The access part is so important. Even with available transit and density, if there are no sidewalks or trail connections, there will be less walking. People will walk up to two mile to get transit (especially rail) more often if there is a nice walkway with interesting and safe features.
– Promote mixed use development.
Especially for mid to high density residential property, so that office / commercial / retail trip attractors for residents would not require their use of public transport or a private car.
– Promote walking via:
Create an attractive common outdoor living space and contribute to improving the pedestrian’s experience through provision of landscaping (eg “parklet”, “pop-up gardens”).
I find parking fees the most problematic to implement as tenants want free parking, or else they’ll Park on-stream or move somewhere else