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Planning 101 |
TDM Best Practices
It is a great time for transportation in Central Florida. There are many organizations and agencies working to provide you with transportation options. Learn more by visiting their web sites!
Back To TopLocal Planning Organizations
Back To TopCentral Florida Bicycle and
Pedestrian Resources
FDOT’s Pedestrian and Bicycle ProgramA state-wide overview of bicycle and pedestrian laws, programs, and safety information
- BikingFlorida.comA bicycle resource including a county-by-county breakdown and description of Florida trails
- CommuteOrlando.comComprehensive web site for the bicycle commuter in the greater Orlando area, including tips for riders in any area
- CyclingSavvy.orgA cycling education program of the Florida Bicycling Association
- Brevard County Resources through the Space Coast TPOInformation on Brevard County’s bicycle and pedestrian programs through the Brevard County Transportation Planning Organization
Lake & Sumter County Resources through the Lake-Sumter MPOInformation on Lake and Sumter County bicycle and pedestrian programs
- Marion County Resources through the Ocala/Marion County TPOInformation on Marion County’s bicycle and pedestrian programs
- MetroPlan Orlando Resources for Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties Information on bicycle and pedestrian programs throughout MetroPlan Orlando’s tri-county
service area.
- Volusia County Resources through Volusia TPOInformation on Volusia County bicycle and pedestrian programs
Back To TopPlanning 101: Transportation Demand
Management (TDM)

TDM is all about options and strategies aimed at changing commuter behavior – the goal of which is to decrease traffic congestion and efficient use of resources. TDM strategies typically focus on certain elements of transportation.
- Mode
TDM planning offers alternatives to the single-occupancy vehicle (SOV), like carpooling, transit, or cycling. These alternative modes reduce the number of vehicles on the road, decreasing congestion levels.
- Time
Traffic congestion can be reduced by changing the time that trips are made. Alternative work options – like compressed work weeks or flextime – can go a long way towards getting cars off the road during peak travel times.
- Frequency
Reducing the frequency of travel through trip-chaining, carsharing, or telecommuting helps reduce congestion on the roads.
- Trip Length
Developing or redeveloping land with transit, cycling, and pedestrians at the top of the list – as opposed to the automobile – is a great way to mitigate transportation impacts. Communities created with these options in mind – also known as Transit Oriented Development (TOD) – lead to fewer vehicle miles traveled (VMT) per person.
- Route
Influencing the routes commuters choose can reduce congestion on roadways. Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) offer information on which routes are congested and offer alternatives.
- Cost
Incentives can be offered to those who share the ride through pre-tax benefit programs, high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) lanes, and preferential parking programs. Route and mode shifts can also be incentivized through congestion pricing.
- Regulation
Transportation demand can also be mitigated by establishing and enforcing local ordinances that specifically call for trip reduction programs.
How do you get transit ridership numbers high and keep people carpooling? There are some essential strategies on how to make your TDM program a success.
- Make It Easy!
By having more transit options – like buses, vanpools, trains, and Park & Ride lots – commuters have fewer excuses to remain in their cars.
- Make It Cheap!
Keeping prices low helps transit options compete with the high cost of owning and operating a personal vehicle. Subsidies could be provided by employers, developers, or public agencies. Cheap parking for carpool and vanpool groups, while limiting or increasing the cost of parking for SOVs, would also encourage use of alternative modes.
- Make It Known!
“Build it and they will come” may not apply if drivers don’t know what their options are. Educating drivers on their commute options is an essential ingredient to TDM effectiveness.
- Plan For It!
Why not incorporate transit and traffic reduction into development practices? Transportation efficient development is characterized by higher densities, access to transit, mixed uses, and walkability. Mixing housing, employment, and daily services adds up to truly sustainable communities.
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