Congestion Reduction Toolbox:
Travel Options
Travel Demand Management
Managing both the "growth of" and periodic "shifts in" traffic demand are necessary elements of managing traffic congestion. If traffic demand is not managed, the performance of the transportation system will be adversely affected. Managing traffic demand today is about providing travelers, regardless of whether they drive alone, with travel choices, such as work location, route, time, and mode.
To view PDF files, you need the Adobe Acrobat Reader.
For more information, visit:
Some recent TDM publications include the following:
- Managing Demand Through Travel Information Services (2005)
- Mitigating Traffic Congestion—The Role of Demand-Side Strategies (October 2004) PDF (17MB)
Planned Special Events Traffic Management
Planned special events cause congestion and unexpected delays to travelers by increasing traffic demand or reducing roadway capacity (e.g., street closures for parades). These delays are unlike congestion caused by routine traffic during daily peak travel periods. The frequency and severity of the effects resulting from these disruptions are increasing significantly in both metropolitan and rural areas.
Advanced planning and coordination also allows agencies to develop and deploy the operational strategies, traffic control plans, protocols, procedures, and technologies needed to control traffic and share real-time information with other stakeholders on the day of the event. These capabilities allow agencies to proactively manage and control traffic to accommodate the increased travel demand generated by the event and use the available roadway capacity in the most efficient and effective manner.
For more information, visit:
- FHWA Planned Special Events
- Managing Travel for Planned Special Events: Final Report (September 2003) PDF (18MB)
