Next week, September 15 through 19, is TDM Week.
“TD what?”
TDM, or transportation demand management, is the term for what we do here at BCTC to support any travel options *other* than driving alone.
Did you know that about one-third of people in the United States don’t drive, because they are too young, have physical limitations that prevent them from driving, don’t have access to a car, or prefer not to drive? Non-driving options are important for ensuring everyone has access to the places they want and need to go, safely and reliably.
This year’s focus for TDM Week is Advancing TDM through policy. The city of Boulder is doing just that by advancing policies such as removing parking minimums and creating a dedicated TDM ordinance for new developments.
Not only can such policies create more space for people to live rather than space for cars to park, but they can also enhance the efficiency of our transportation systems. With its new policies, the city of Boulder aims for flexibility to ensure that developers can create the best TDM plan for their area. TDM resources specified in a plan might include transit passes for developments in transit-rich corridors, bicycle amenities and shared micromobility memberships where there is easy access to multi-use paths and bike lanes, and carshare for housing where people don’t need to own a car but may want to borrow one now and then.
According to Chris Hagelin, Principal Project Manager for the City of Boulder Department of Transportation and Mobility, the purpose of the TDM ordinance for new developments is to “mitigate the impacts of new development on the transportation system, adjacent properties and surrounding neighborhoods; to increase access to multimodal infrastructure; and to contribute to meeting city goals by providing residents or employer tenants of those new developments with proven TDM programs and services paid for by the developer or owner.”
“The ordinance also establishes trip-generation targets,” Hagelin continued, “which are a way to monitor impacts of the TDM plans and improve the program over time. With the elimination of parking minimum requirements, this TDM ordinance for new development is critical to ensuring access to programs that reduce vehicle trips.”
The TDM ordinance has been presented to the Transportation Advisory Board and City Council and will have its second and final reading with City Council on September 18.
Boulder’s work to advance policies that make non-driving modes viable options for more people ensures everyone can travel efficiently and safely throughout the city, exemplifying the positive impacts of TDM.
This TDM Week, give transit a try by taking the bus to one of your favorite destinations using the city’s interactive transit map. How about riding your own bike or a BCycle e-bike to where you need to go? Check out the city’s interactive bike route map to choose your route. Prefer to take a walk? There’s an interactive pedestrian map, too!
When you choose to go by bus, bike, rolling, or walking, you help make Boulder a more livable city for all. Get out and have fun this month!