Transportation demand management

Find information about transportation demand management, and learn about how to incorporate it into your projects and programs.

Transportation demand management (TDM) describes programs and projects that aim to provide more competitive transportation options to driving alone, reduce trips and improve traffic congestion without building more roads.

These projects use techniques like education, rewards and disincentives to:

  • Reduce the need for vehicle trips.
  • Reduce the distance of trips (e.g. shop close to home, home delivery).
  • Shift to more efficient transportation modes, like transit and other forms of ridesharing.

Putting transportation demand management into practice

There are many strategies planners and engineers can use to put TDM into practice. When selecting what strategies to implement, planners and engineers should consider their project scope, cost, stakeholders, and location.

Examples of transportation demand management strategies include:

  • Commute trip reduction.
  • Providing transit passes to students or workers.
  • Charging for parking.
  • High occupancy toll lanes.
  • High occupancy vehicle lanes.
  • Changing land use zoning to support transit-oriented development.
  • Providing showers and bicycle repair and storage at work sites.
  • Promotions like Wheel Options and Bicycle Month.
  • Outreach to employers to increase the use of telework and compressed work weeks.
  • Senior shuttles to health care facilities.
  • Vanpools.

To discover specific strategies and guidance for incorporating TDM into your projects and programs:

Planners and engineers can apply for state grants for transportation demand management projects and programs. Check out the following webpages for more information:

The state’s Transportation Demand Management Strategic Plan 2019-2023 (PDF 1.3MB) explains how the state and its partner organizations are using Practical Solutions and multimodal strategies to expand travel options across Washington state.

For more general information on transportation demand management, view the following resources:

Slow down on ice and snow.

It's easier to skid or lose control traveling at higher speeds. Give yourself more time to stop.

Carry chains, practice installing them.

Winter conditions could mean chains are required on your route. Practice putting them on your vehicle ahead of time.

Pack your winter car kit.

Carry extra supplies like warm clothing, ice scraper and brush, jumper cables and other emergency items.