TDM Strategies to Facilitate Mode Shift & Eliminate Trips TDM strategies support smart growth's goals by: Reducing the number of vehicles on the road Providing an accessible, affordable, equitable range of transportation choices Encouraging energy efficiency Using transportation and land resources more efficiently TDM strategies traditionally have been directed toward commute travel and peak period congestion, but are more recently being utilized to help address other, non-recurring types of congestion as well. Commuter directed strategies are typically employer-based, whereas area-wide TDM programs are more typically implemented by government based agencies. TDM encompasses travel alternatives and strategies to support them. Because it involves behavioral change, TDM often relies on incentives or disincentives. Research shows that because many TDM strategies are complementary, they work best as part of overall larger transportation planning effort or comprehensive program. Demand management strategies fall into four main categories: Increasing vehicle occupancy - the number of persons in a vehicle Influencing the time or route of travel Facilitating shifts from automobile to transit or non motorized modes Eliminating the need for travel Strategies to Facilitate Mode Shift Providing mobility for all segments of the population and reducing the need for travel by single occupant vehicles are key components of Smart Growth. A comprehensive TDM program can advance these goals by providing options to the solo driver and incentives to use them. These measures can be undertaken at the community or employer level. At the employer level, programs to support transit include making schedules and transit information readily available to employees on site; installing attractive bus shelters, providing transit subsidies or pre-tax commuter benefits; providing shuttle service to and from rail stations or transit centers; allowing employees flexibility in their schedules to meet transit. Similar measures can be undertaken by local government to promote transit in their communities. For example, municipalities can contract with private companies to install and maintain attractive bus shelters or they can agree to maintain NJ TRANSIT installed shelters. Trenton and Atlantic City are among several cities in New Jersey that contract with private vendors to install shelters. Portions of the fees charged by the vendors to advertise on the shelters are passed on to the municipalities. Municipalities can also provide community shuttles to take residents to transit centers such as rail stations. NJ TRANSIT's Community Shuttle program provides vehicles and operating assistance. Rural communities in New Jersey may eligible for assistance under a federal program known as Section 5311, which provides capital assistance for transit service. Similarly, employers and local government can encourage bicycling and walking through such measures as installing bike racks and lockers as appropriate, organizing walking and bicycling events, reimbursement of employee cycling expenses, use of bicycles for inter-office and local travel, creating bicycle lender programs such as free neighborhood bikes or libraries and producing bicycle maps showing bicycle compatible routes. Local governments usually implement bicycle facility improvements, sometimes with funding and technical support from state transportation agencies. Investing in bicycle facilities encourages more people to bicycle. Each mile of bikeway per 100,000 residents increases bicycle commuting 0.075 percent, all else being equal (Nelson and Allen, 1997). Other studies further support the latent demand for bicycling. For example, a U.S. survey found that 17% of adults claim they would sometimes bicycle commute if secure storage and changing facilities were available, 18% would if employers offered financial incentives, and 20% would if they had safer cycling facilities ("A Trend On the Move: Commuting by Bicycle," 1991). Improved cycling conditions increase travel choice and mobility, which particularly benefits non-drivers. In addition to being transportation modes, bicycling and walking also provide access to transit. Walking and cycling promotion is appropriate in almost any geographic area, and can be particularly effective in compact, mixed-use neighborhoods. Organized promotions can be sponsored by local governments, business associations, neighborhood associations, educational organizations, or TMAs. Shifts from driving to non-motorized modes can contribute to less traffic, lower road and parking facility construction costs, consumer savings, environmental protection and increase community livability (Litman, 1999; Buis, 2000). Non-motorized transportation supports other alternative modes (public transit and ridesharing), and smart growth land use objectives, including higher density, mixed-use development. Strategies to Eliminate Trips Telecommuting Telecommuting is an employer-based demand management strategy that is effective in reducing peakperiod trips by allowing employees to perform their regular duties at home or from a satellite office closer to home. There is some debate as to whether telecommuting contributes to sprawl by allowing for dispersion of residences and work locations, but there is no real evidence showing that employees move further away from their work place because they telecommute. (www.GilGordon.com) In addition to enabling peak period traffic reductions, telecommuting supports other smart growth principles. By reducing the number of employees that report to a worksite on a daily basis, employers can reduce the demand for on-site parking and work space. It also affords greater access to jobs to those who do not drive. Though its impacts on transportation are not well documented, telecommuting is a recommended strategy to reduce peak period congestion in a variety of state and local transportation plans. Assistance on implementing telecommuting programs is available through the state's TMAs. Trip Chaining Trip chaining means combining errands into one trip reduces vehicle miles traveled and automobile emissions. Starting a car after it has been sitting for one hour produces as much as five times more pollutants. It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air, an education and awareness program established by the USDOT and USEPA makes information on trip chaining and other steps individuals can take to reduce traffic and improve air quality available to municipalities, schools and community based organizations.