The TPB's CMP effort focuses on defining the existing demand management strategies that contribute to the more effective use and improved safety of existing and future transportation systems. The TPB is committed to a number of ongoing demand management strategies, such as:
Alternative Commute Programs
TPB's Commuter Connections program encourages a number of alternative commute programs with an overall goal of taking more cars off the road, which is important to the CMP. These programs include:
- Carpooling is a popular commuting option of two or more employees sharing the ride to work in a private automobile. TPB provides the public with tips on carpooling, ridesharing applications, and regional maps of park-and-ride lot locations.
- Vanpooling is when groups of commuters travel to work together in an owner-operated, third-party, or employer-operated van. Examples include vanpool incentive programs, such as VanStart and VanSave in Maryland and Virginia.
- Telecommuting, when employees work at their home or at a telework center near their home one or more days a week, is an effort to replace work-related travel. TPB provides information on telecommuting to both employees and employers.
- Transit, consisting of buses and rail, is a popular option available to commuters in the District, Maryland, and Virginia . TPB encourages the use of electronic transit payment systems such as Metrochek and SmarTrip.
- Guaranteed Ride Home encompasses all of the above commuting programs. It helps alleviate commuters concerns of using alternative commute methods by offering those who carpool, vanpool, bike, walk, or ride transit to work a free ride home in case an unexpected situation would arise.
- With bicycling to work, employers are encouraged to set up programs to facilitate employees the option to bike to work by providing showers/lockers, subsidies for purchasing bicycles, etc.
- Employer Outreach/Mass Marketing are two types of marketing programs the region uses to market all of the above alternative commute programs.
HOV Facilities and Value Pricing
TPB conducts analysis and documentation of HOV facilities in the region. These studies give the TPB, decision makers, and the public insight into the number of commuters using the HOV systems during peak hours and peak periods, and travel times along the HOV lanes and non-HOV lanes. The most recent HOV study was conducted in 2014 and its final report became available in October 2015.
The TPB has studied the concept of "pricing" and the public acceptability of pricing under grants awarded to the TPB by the FHWA. Congestion pricing is a demand management strategy, as it gives drivers a choice of time to travel or travel route. The COG’s Multi-Sector Working Group on Climate Change also studied “Road Pricing” as one of the transportation and land use strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The results of two projects in the region that are putting the concept of pricing to the test. The first is MD 200, known as the Intercounty Connector (ICC) in Montgomery and Prince George's Counties. MD 200 opened to traffic from I-370 to I-95 in November 2011. The final segment from I-95 to US-1 opened in November 2014. This new limited access roadway uses an "open tolling" concept (overhead gantries on the highway main lines are used in lieu of toll booths), with tolls varying by time of day in concert with anticipated demand.
The second is the I-495/I-95 Express Lanes project in Northern Virginia, where private sector partners to the Virginia Department of Transportation and constructed additional lanes on a segment of the Capital Beltway and the I-95, lanes that are tolled, with rates varying to manage traffic demands versus speeds.
Public Transportation Improvements
Public transportation offers a popular alternative to driving, and is important in reducing our region's congestion. The TPB commits to improvements that maintain a safe and effective transit system for the large amount of riders that use it. The TPB compiles and analyzes information collected on local transportation systems including:
Local and regional rail agencies Amtrak, MARC, Virginia Railway Express (VRE), and Metrorail
Local bus systems such as the District's Downtown Circulator, Georgetown Metro Connection, Metrobus, Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), county bus systems, and private bus companies that work with Commuter Connections.
Compiling existing information and data will allow the TPB to identify the needs and locations for public transportation improvements. Improving the region's public transportation system maintains and increases transit ridership, which is an important congestion management strategy. Public transportation strategies can also be discussed in conjunction with the Regional Public Transportation Subcommittee.
Multi-modal Facility/Pedestrian/Bicycle Improvements
The TPB recognizes the benefit the Washington region's many bicycle and pedestrian facilities have on congestion management. Maintaining, updating, and implementing new facilities is important to increase multi-modal usage. The TPB compiles information on existing facilities and explores additional multi-modal improvements in our region.
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan for the National Capital Region includes approximately 410 bicycle and pedestrian facility improvement projects from across the region, including two new bicycle and pedestrian crossings over the Potomac, the addition of locks and bike racks, and improvements to enhance the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.
Carsharing/short-term car rental programs are beneficial to congestion management in that they provide a convenient and cost-effective mobility option for those that typically do not have a need to own a car.
Bikesharing is emerging internationally and in the Washington region as a transportation alternative. Steps are being taken to establish and expand bikesharing in Washington and the region.
Growth Management
The TPB recognizes the importance of integrating land use and transportation planning at a regional level, and encourages the provision and availability of a variety of transit and commuting options as the region grows. The TPB views growth management as a beneficial congestion management tool, and analyzes data from the following programs for inclusion in the CMP:
- Regional Activity Centers, help coordinate transportation and land use planning in specific areas in the Washington region experiencing and anticipating growth. Focusing growth in Regional Activity Centers is important to congestion management, where transportation options for those who live and work there can be provided.
- Transportation-Land Use Connection (TLC) Program, providing support and assistance to local governments in the Washington region as they implement their own strategies to improve coordination between transportation and land use.
- The TPB's 2006 Regional Mobility and Accessibility Study concludes that locating jobs and housing closer together can provide alternative commuting options that may not have been options otherwise.