Understanding Transport Demand Management and Its Role in Delivery of Sustainable Urban Transport

• Published in: Transportation research record 2010-01, Vol.2163 (1), p.81-88
• Main Authors: Black, Colin S., Schreffler, Eric N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0361-1981; 2169-4052
• DOI: 10.3141/2163-09

Outdated notions of transport demand management (TDM) as a collection of vaguely related initiatives are constraining the true potential of the concept. This paper explains how TDM is far more effective when it is framed as a philosophical approach that in time is likely to become a cornerstone of sustainable urban transport systems. A new paradigm internationally recognized as TDM is emerging in transport planning. This new paradigm embraces under its umbrella concepts commonly referred to as mobility management, smarter choices, and active travel management. Transport professionals worldwide have been collaborating to update the understanding of TDM as a philosophy that underpins the approach to improving the sustainability of transport. A review of TDM internationally demonstrated the importance of combining a number of key aspects to an effective strategy. Key to the successful transfer of sustainable urban transport policies is integrating the TDM philosophy into urban transport planning, as well as the daily management and operation of transport services and infrastructure. The paper presents a powerful policy tool developed to assist with this process of integration, the Mobility Enhancement and Trip Reduction Index to Aid Comparison (METRIC). METRIC is used internationally to benchmark comparative progress on the implementation of TDM.