bigger bang for the buck panel discussion: improving the roi on transit investments with tdm
TRANSCRIPT
Bigger Bang for the BuckPanel Discussion: Improving the ROI
on Transit Investments with TDM
What can TDM do?
• Attract New Rides
• Manage Peak Demand
• Respond Quickly to Changing Demands
• Provide Temporary Travel Measures
• Ensure Business Continuity
What can TDM do?
Source: Cansult – TSI, May 2005
Impact of Transit Improvements on GHG Emissions (March 2005)
Attract New Riders
• Motivate individuals to choose transit– Financial incentives and loyalty
• Toronto – 12 months of free passes at new condos• Mississauga – matching discount with employers• Vancouver – universal transit pass at UBC, SFU
– 18 months: weekday trips up 54% and 84%– 18 months: SOV trips down by 22% and 10%
• Canada – tax credit for transit riders• Volume incentive programs
Attract New Riders
• Increase capacity at little cost– Modal integration
• GTHA: BikeLinx for bicycle racks on buses• Active transportation links
– Carpool parking at rapid transit
Attract New Riders
• Individualized marketing– Identify those most likely to take transit– Targeted marketing at trip ends– Portland, Oregon
• Transit marketing to households near new LRT line• Transit trips increased by 44% with IM; 24% without
– GTHA Big Move• IM to every household near rapid transit
approximately every three years
Manage Peak Demand
• Alternative work arrangements– Ottawa (1974)
• “…Serious overtaxing of the bus transit system, particularly during brief periods in the morning and evening.” (Safavian and McLean, 1975)
• 33,000 federal employees on flexible time• 50% of city’s workforce
Manage Peak Demand
Car Transit
Before After Change Before After Change
AM 50% 47% -3% 50% 53% +3%
PM 57% 55% -2% 43% 45% +2%
Manage Peak Demand
• Compressed Work Weeks– 4/10 or 9/80
• Telework
• Peak Period Pricing– Ottawa (discontinued)
• Fare premium during peak times
• Incentives– Seat guarantee and improved reliability
Respond Quickly
• Address capacity shortages until new infrastructure is in service
• Provide options in new areas before transit is introduced or extended
• Telework and carpooling can provide workforce continuity in a matter of days
Provide Temporary Measures
• Ease Disruptions (Construction, Events)– Incentives to prevent switch to SOV
• Temporary HOV Lanes• Focused measures e.g. corridor• Reprioritize modes for safety and efficiency
– Route change• Maximize use of alternates with capacity
– Trip elimination programs
Provide Temporary Measures
• Denver– T-REX = 19 miles of new LRT and 17 miles of
new highway• TransOptions
– Subsidies to employers and commuters– Marketing of options– Eligibility restricted to T-REX corridor– 25% of commuters altered their travel time (50,000)– 21% of commuters altered their routes– Flexible work schedules were #1 desire for work
commuters during construction
Ensure Business Continuity
• Engage Private Involvement– Economic continuity– Private investment in transportation
• Continuity in transit operations– Service continuity– Emergency planning and operations
• E.g. office and support staff
Benefits
• Reduced Expenditures– TDM a fraction of the cost of new supply– Improved efficiency on sunken investments– Options where transit is not yet cost-effective
• Better Returns– More riders on Day 1 of new service– Reduced impact of disruptions– Ability to target the issue or population
Benefits
• Equity– Level the playing field across modes
• Environment– Strengthens transit’s position as ‘green’
• Partnership– Can forge long-lasting partnerships
• Transit and TDM• Supporters and stakeholders