QUICK FACTS: Transportation Demand Management

• What is Transportation Demand Management?
  
  Transportation Demand Management (TDM) is designed to deal with congestion and our transportation challenges. TDM strategies pursue partnerships between the public and private sectors to maximize the use of existing transportation infrastructure by:
  • Increasing the number of people per vehicle (including transit vehicles, vanpools and carpools).
  • Maximizing the use of underutilized travel times (by time-of-day and day-of-week) and travel routes - including transit routes and pedestrian / bicycle paths.
  • Reducing trip frequency and distance, and eliminating some trips altogether.
  
  
  
  
• Why Manage Transportation Demand?
  Building and widening roads and providing better transit cost a lot of money. Due to financial constraint, it is impossible to build all the roads and buy all the buses to solve our gridlock problem. Further, there are other physical and environmental constraints that prohibit us to build all the roads. Therefore, we have to look at the demand side; "How we can reduce the travel demand, especially during peak hours when roads and transit are at their capacity?" The need for reducing the travel demand becomes especially clear when we look at the future growth in Peel. Our population is expected to grow 55% over the next 30 years.

• What are the benefits of TDM?
  Transportation Demand Management can provide multiple benefits that include reducing congestion, cutting costs associated with roads and parking and reducing user costs. TDM can also lead to improved transportation choices, greater road safety, environmental quality and community lifestyle, as well as more efficient land use.
• Does TDM provide flexibility in meeting transportation challenges?

Providing a flexible response to many types of transportation challenges, TDM programs can be implemented quickly and tailored to a particular situation or user group.
• Does TDM promote sustainable modes of transportation?
  Transportation Demand Management focuses on sustainable transportation practices. TDM principles are built on conserving scarce resources, providing an accessible transportation system for all commuters, protecting the environment and efficiently using land and resources. This also promotes community involvement and participation.
  
  
• How do we encourage people to consider alternatives to driving and, even worse, driving alone?
  Commuters need to know that sustainable alternatives exist. TDM involves an extensive information and education program to help people feel comfortable in choosing alternative modes of transportation. They also need to understand the range of options: from carpooling and public transit, to walking and cycling.

• Can employers help the cause?
  Employers have a crucial role not only in encouraging employees to look at commuting alternatives but also in providing the resources to help their staff take advantage of company-sponsored programs like carpools. For example, private and public sector employers can provide such services as ride matching for car or van pools, carpool parking areas and guaranteed ride home program.

• How does TDM fit in with Peel Region's transportation plans?

Peel Region will see significant population and employment growth over the next 30 years. Many Regional roads and highways are already congested during peak periods and cannot accommodate anticipated future growth. The need to reduce travel and introduce sustainable transportation modes are more important than ever. TDM is an integral part of Peel Region's Long Range Transportation Planning exercise.
• How can TDM work beyond regional and municipal boundaries?

Since people travel and commute beyond their municipal boundaries, it's important that TDM be co-ordinated on a Region-wide and GTA-wide basis. In response, we will work closely with local municipalities in Peel, our neighbouring regions and the province.
• What is the Region trying to achieve at its first TDM Workshop?

This special workshop is designed to bring together both public and private sector interests that have opportunities to work together in establishing a sustainable transportation system for Peel. A collaborative effort is essential in reviewing alternatives and developing TDM strategies for the Region.
• What will be the outcomes of this workshop?

Regional staff will build on the results of the workshop in developing a range of innovative and cost-effective TDM options for Peel Region. Participants are encouraged to continue to stay engaged in TDM policy development for the Region. The TDM study is scheduled for completion this Fall. The findings will be incorporated in the Region's Long Range Transportation Plan, to be completed in 2004.