This document discusses how transportation demand management (TDM) measures can incentivize and enable transit access. It provides examples of TDM strategies like guaranteed ride home programs, car sharing, and transit pass programs. These strategies help reduce barriers to transit use by providing first/last mile connections, flexibility, and financial incentives. The document also discusses "sticks" like commuter benefits ordinances that require employers to subsidize sustainable commuting options. Overall, TDM can help transit work better by making it more accessible and appealing compared to driving alone.
1. Transit-Supportive TDM Measures
Paul Supawanich, AICP
@tweetsupa
Associate Project Planner
2013 American Planning Association Conference | CHICAGO, IL
5. “Do what you can, with what you
have, where you are” –Theodore
Roosevelt
6. So remind me, what’s the connection
between TDM and transit?
7. So remind me, what’s the connection
between TDM and transit?
TDM measures Incent and Enable Transit
Access
8. So remind me, what’s the connection
between TDM and transit?
TDM Measures Incent and Enable Transit
Access
Essentially: TDM enables transit to work
better
9. Transit Trends: Users
Existing incentives
– Increasing fuel prices
– Interest in urban living
– Lower VMT in 2013
than previous 10 years
• For 14-34 Year
Olds, VMT declined 23%
from 2001-2009
– In 2012, transit
ridership hit second
highest level since 1957
10. Transit Trends: Providers
Previous metric of focus: Ridership
– Park and Ride
– Planning extent: The stop + station
New metrics: Ridership + Access
– Reducing barriers and increasing incentives
– Transit-oriented development
– Station pedestrian and bicycle access plans
13. Folding Bikes on
Transit
Bikes on Transit combine bicycling and transit to provide a
high
level of mobility by leveraging strengths of both modes.
Benefits
– Bridges the first/last mile gap
– Extends the service area of transit stations
– Eliminates transfers between transit lines
– Reduces VMT
In Practice
– LA Metro studied potential to subsidize folding bike
program to enhance transit ridership
– Policies that enable folding bicycles at any time
• BART
• NYC MTA Long Island Railroad
• DC Metrorail
• San Francisco MTA
14. Circulator Shuttles
Circulator shuttles provide a last-mile connection to/from
major
transit nodes are highly effective at reducing vehicle trips.
Benefits
– Bridges the first/last mile gap
– Typically replaces a much longer VMT trip
– Can replace need for company parking expansion
In Practice
– Some cities are developing “shuttle policies” to
ensure convenient curb space is available near
transit stations
– When a critical mass of duplicative services form,
a Transportation Management Association (TMA)
may be appropriate to provide consolidated
service
Google Shuttle -- Photo Credit: Flickr User Tuxmann
14
16. Guaranteed Ride Home
Guaranteed Ride Home Programs: provide a free ride
home for
“encouraged” modes when emergency situations arise.
Benefits
– Eliminates fear of being
“stuck at work”
– Leverages existing
transportation resources
– Low cost program to
encourage transit and other
modes
In Practice
– Alameda County (Oakland, CA) estimates
program reduced 405,496 one-way car
trips in 2012
– Equivalent to 3,330 tons of CO2
Credit: Roosbeh Rokni
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18. Car-sharing (traditional)
Car-sharing allows on-demand access to a shared fleet of vehicles on an
as-needed basis. Monetizes the true costs of vehicle operation (often less
than
owning a vehicle in cities)
Benefits
– Reduces the need for businesses or households to own their own
vehicles
– Reduces personal transportation costs and VMT
– 11%-26% of car-sharing participants sold a personal vehicle
– Eliminates need for vehicle at work for mid-day trips
In Practice
– Accommodation of carsharing pods at transit stations and in residential
developments, even airports
19. Car-sharing (peer-to-
peer)
Peer-to-Peer Car-sharing has become increasingly popular and
has
reduced barriers for accessing car-share vehicles. Enables
individuals to
share cars with eachother.
Benefits
– Leverages existing vehicles to reduce need for personal auto
ownership
– Enables carsharing to existing in unique markets
In Practice
– Growing marketplace with several nationwide networks
22. Transit Pass Programs
Transit Pass (Ecopass) Programs provide a deep discount for
transit
passes which provide unlimited ride for participants.
Benefits
– Highly effective at incentivizing transit use
– Reduces need for parking and traffic mitigations
In Practice
– Often bundled with residential “move-in” or company benefits
– College campuses have been doing this for years
23. 90%
81%
80%
76%
Drove Before Pass Drove After Pass
70%
Transit Before Pass Transit After Pass
60%
60% 57%
50%
46%
42%
40%
36%
33%
30% 27%
25% 24%
20% 21%
20% 18%
13% 13%
11%
10% 8%
0%
Santa Clara (VTA) [1] Bellevue, Washington[2] Ann Arbor, Michigan[3] UCLA[4] (faculty and staff) Univ. of
Washington, Seattle[5]
23
24. AC Transit EasyPass
AC Transit’s Transbay Pass, which is equivalent to EasyPass, costs $1,590 a year per
person.
26. Commuter Benefits Ordinance
San Francisco
Who?
• Businesses in San Francisco
• 20 or more employees nationwide
What (Requirements)
• Pre-tax benefits: up to $245/month for transit/vanpool
expenses
• Employer-Paid transportation benefits: Monthly subsidy for
transportation expenses equivalent to the price of a monthly
transit pass
• Employer-provided transportation: Company funded bus or
van service between employee homes
27. Commute Trip Reduction Law (CTR)
Seattle, WA
Who?
• Statewide for major employers
(100+ employees)
• Applied through ordinance at local level
What (Requirements)
• Local Transportation Coordinator: individual
responsible for locally administering CTR
program
• Implementation of at minimum two of “menu” of
To preface: Transit serves communities in many ways. However, in today’s context. I want to focus on the element of moving people efficiency. Most places do not have a perpetual traffic problem – they have a peak problem.
But while vehicle capacity is limited, person capacity is virtually unlimited – it all depends on how you choose to use the precious real estate of the public rights of way.This image is borrowed from Germany, but has been replicated many times in communities all around the U.S. It shows the real estate consumed by 60 persons in single occupant vehicles, the same 60 people on a bus, and the same 60 people on bicycles or walking.The person capacity of the street is enormous.
But there is a difference between theoretical capacity and freeflow conditions. Like most people, I value sanity when traveling and bumper to bumper traffic hardly offers that, so for quality of life (and safety and sanity) we need to get back to free flow conditions.The good news is, it can take as little as a 10% reduction in traffic – making it possible and inviting to just 10% of the people to travel on bus, bike or foot means the other 90% can enjoy a better commute as well. We hear about a “war on cars” but this couldn’t be more wrong. Most people CAN still continue to drive, and in fact drivers should be the chief cheerleaders supporting the move of the willing 10%.But of course there is growth, so that means it is a circle that needs to continueMore good news – the majority of trips taken in the U.S. are less than 3 miles in length – and over 1/3 of them are a mile or less. These distances lend themselves well to alternate modes **IF** they areReliableAffordableEfficient
Simply put, transportation demand management is inducing travel patterns that use the resources you HAVE to accommodate the growth you WANT.This can be done by “infilling travel” to modes and time periods where surplus capacity existsFor the most part, because TDM optimizes capacity that IS, even the most expensive techniques are still vastly cheaper than attempting to build a region out of congestion
Will talk about three key barriers to transit where TDM programs have been largely helpful.PhysicalFlexibility (Time)Sunk Cost (Vehicle ownership)
On the upper end of employer transit are employer shuttles. The leaders in this area (like Google) have gone out of their way to make the shuttle fun, sexy, and trendyThese are exclusive – part of a clubThe provision of WiFi or other amenities makes it an extension of the workspaceDraw backsExclusivity precludes public utilizationMany redundant routes = additional traffic congestionAlthough less expensive than constructing parking, still a major expense
Of course a lot of people shy away from pooling with others fearing “what if something happens and I need to get home?” Guaranteed Ride Home programs ease this fear. While relatively low cost, they can have a big impact in giving confidence to those “interested but skeptical” populations
Will talk about three key barriers to transit where TDM programs have been largely helpful.PhysicalFlexibility (Time)Sunk Cost (Vehicle ownership)
Transit pass programs step a little higher on the benefit ladder, but still can be extremely cost effective.The best time to influence commuting patterns is during a major life change like moving to a new residence or changing jobs. By providing buyers, renters or workers a first time transit benefit card – even for as little as $100 – this can acquaint the commuter with the system and begin a habit that lasts a lifetime.Many transit systems offer discount fares to employers who buy transit benefits in bulk.Some employers and educational institutions purchase unlimited ride passes for their workers or students. Other offer employer transit benefits.
Will talk about three key barriers to transit where TDM programs have been largely helpful.PhysicalFlexibility (Time)Sunk Cost (Vehicle ownership)
ExemptionsBusinesses with fewer than 20 employees nationwideBusinesses that do not operate in San FranciscoContractors with headquarters located outside of San Francisco if A) project assignments in San Francisco are less than 6 months, or B) employees are required to drive specialty vehicles to project sites. This includes construction workers driving heavy equipment vehicles, caterers driving refrigerated vehicles or specialty vans or delivery companies.Employers with employees that solely telecommuteCompliance Reporting FormAnnual compliance reporting forms are due by April 30 every year. This form is an easy and short online form, meant to relay the programmatic offerings at each company for verification of compliance.http://www.sfbos.org/ftp/uploadedfiles/bdsupvrs/ordinances08/o0199-08.pdf