Transportation Demand Management (TDM) and Congestion Management Fees

Part of the Access & Mobility Plan Effort

These two strategies focus on helping employees use transit to get to work and charging drivers a fee to drive in congested areas. “Transportation Demand Management” reduces traffic by encouraging employees to use transit or active transportation to get to work. “Congestion Management Fees” charges drivers a fee in congested areas to help move traffic.

Strategy 19 : Transportation Demand Management (TDM)

TDM focuses on helping employees use existing transit options (i.e. transit, ridesharing, walking, biking, paratransit, and telework) to get to and from work. TDM programs provide information, encouragement, and incentives to help employees use different transportation options.

We could consider requiring TDM programs from employers and for new developments to help encourage alternatives to driving to work.

Examples of TDM: Get a locker and shower at work when you bike to work. Employer provided shuttle buses. Get reduced-fee transit rides and passes. Have free lunch on certain days you don’t drive to work.

Strategy 20: Congestion Management Fees

Charge drivers a fee to drive in specific congested areas during the busiest times. This can reduce congestion and help keep traffic and transit moving. Fees collected can be used to make transit or other non-driving options more appealing for people to use.

Examples: HOV (high occupancy vehicle) or HOT (high occupancy toll) lanes that charge drivers a fee to drive in a priority lane unless they are in a carpool. In downtown congestion pricing programs, if you drive in an area during a specific day and time you will be charged a fee; this encourages people to travel during less busy times or through other modes of transportation. London, Singapore, and Stockholm are all places that use this strategy.