Transportation Management Associations

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TDM Encyclopedia

Victoria Transport Policy Institute

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Updated 26 July 2008

This chapter describes Transportation Management Associations (TMAs), which are member-controlled, organizations that provide transportation services in a particular area.

 

 

Description

Transportation Management Associations (TMAs) are non-profit, member-controlled organizations that provide transportation services in a particular area, such as a commercial district, mall, medical center or industrial park. They are generally public-private partnerships, consisting primarily of area businesses with local government support. Transportation Management Coordinators (TMC) are professionals who work for TMAs or individual employers.

 

TMAs provide an institutional framework for TDM Programs and services. They are usually more cost effective than programs managed by individual businesses. TMAs allow small employers to provide Commute Trip Reduction services comparable to those offered by large companies. They avoid problems that may be associated with government-run TDM programs, since they are controlled by members.

 

Transportation Management Associations can provide a variety of services that encourage more efficient use of transportation and parking resources.

·       Access Management

·       Commute Trip Reduction

·       Commuter Financial Incentives

·       Flextime Support

·       Freight Transport Management

·       Guaranteed Ride Home Services

·       Marketing and Promotion

·       Parking Management and Brokerage

·       Pedestrian and Bicycle Planning

·       Pedways

·       Rideshare Matching and Vanpool Coordination

·       Shared Parking Coordination

·       Shuttle Services

·       Special Event Transport Management

·       Telework Support

·       Tourist Transport Management

·       Transit Improvements

·       Transportation Access Guides

 

 

Transportation Management Associations can support Smart Growth efforts to create more creating more Accessible and resource efficient land use patterns. TMAs can provide Parking Management and brokerage services that result in more efficient use of parking resources (Parking Solutions). This can reduce the need to expand parking capacity, reduce the total amount of land that must be paved in an area, and allow increased Clustering. For example, a church may allow its parking spaces to be used by a nearby restaurant on Saturday nights in exchange for use of the restaurant’s parking on Sunday mornings. This results in more efficient use of parking resources, and allows employers with successful Commute Trip Reduction programs to recoup their costs by leasing excess parking spaces.

 

 

How it is Implemented

Regional or local governments, chambers of commerce or management of a major facility (such as a mall or hospital) can help create a TMA and provide seed funding. Developers or facility managers may be required to establish a TMA to mitigate local congestion and parking problems. TMAs are typically funded through dues paid by member businesses and government grants (Hendricks, 2004).

 

 

Travel Impacts

TMAs provide an institutional structure to deliver various TDM strategies. One study estimates that TMAs can reduce 6-7% of total commute trips if implemented alone, and significantly more if implemented with other TDM strategies (TDM Resource Center, 1996).

 

Table 1            Travel Impact Summary

Travel Impact

Rating

Comments

Reduces total traffic.

2

Implements Commute Trip Reduction

Reduces peak period traffic.

3

"

Shifts peak to off-peak periods.

3

"

Shifts automobile travel to alternative modes.

3

"

Improves access, reduces the need for travel.

1

May involve some land use management.

Increased ridesharing.

3

Implements Commute Trip Reduction

Increased public transit.

3

"

Increased cycling.

2

"

Increased walking.

2

"

Increased Telework.

3

"

Reduced freight traffic.

1

May involve some freight traffic management.

Rating from 3 (very beneficial) to –3 (very harmful). A 0 indicates no impact or mixed impacts.

 

 

Benefits And Costs

Transportation Management Associations can increase Transportation Options, provide financial savings to businesses and employees, reduce traffic congestion and parking problems, and reduce pollution emissions. They are an important strategy for creating more efficient land use patterns. These benefits can be large because traffic and parking costs tend to be particularly high in commercial and industrial areas where most TMAs exist. Parking and road facility savings often repay TMA operating costs.

 

Costs are primarily direct TMA program expenses, which typically average $5-10 annually per covered employee, although this can vary significantly depending on what services it provides (Ferguston, Ross and Meyer, 1992). Sometimes, TMAs increase consumer costs by implementing increased parking fees.

 

Table 2            Benefit Summary

Objective

Rating

Comments

Congestion Reduction

3

Helps reduce commute trips.

Road & Parking Savings

2

Helps reduce commute trips, more efficient use of parking facilities.

Consumer Savings

2

Helps reduce commute trips, increases commute choice.

Transport Choice

2

Helps increase commute choice.

Road Safety

2

Helps reduce vehicle trips.

Environmental Protection

2

Helps reduce vehicle trips.

Efficient Land Use

2

Helps reduce vehicle trips.

Community Livability

2

Helps reduce vehicle trips.

Rating from 3 (very beneficial) to –3 (very harmful). A 0 indicates no impact or mixed impacts.

 

 

Equity Impacts

Most services provided by TMAs are available to any employee at a worksite. TMAs typically require subsidies, but these are often comparable to subsidies for parking and local road improvements. Some strategies (such as Parking Cash Out) are progressive with respect to income, while others (such as Parking Pricing) may be regressive unless offset by other compensation. TMA services often benefit lower-income and transportation disadvantaged people by improving transportation choices and savings. TMAs can improve Basic Access by providing better travel options to employment and essential services.

 

Table 3            Equity Summary

Criteria

Rating

Comments

Treats everybody equally.

2

Usually provide services and benefits to all employees.

Individuals bear the costs they impose.

2

May involve subsidies, but less than for driving.

Progressive with respect to income.

3

Tends to increase affordable transport choices.

Benefits transportation disadvantaged.

3

Tends to increase transport choices for non-drivers.

Improves basic mobility.

2

Tends to increase basic transportation options.

Rating from 3 (very beneficial) to –3 (very harmful). A 0 indicates no impact or mixed impacts.

 

 

Applications

TMAs are appropriate for any geographic area where there are multiple employers or businesses clustered together, which can benefit from cooperative transportation management or parking brokerage services. Regional and local governments, business associations and individual businesses can all help establish TMAs.

 

Table 4            Application Summary

Geographic

Rating

Organization

Rating

Large urban region.

3

Federal government.

1

High-density, urban.

3

State/provincial government.

2

Medium-density, urban/suburban.

3

Regional government.

3

Town.

2

Municipal/local government.

3

Low-density, rural.

2

Business Associations/TMA.

3

Commercial center.

3

Individual business.

3

Residential neighborhood.

2

Developer.

2

Resort/recreation area.

3

Neighborhood association.

1

 

 

Campus.

3

Ratings range from 0 (not appropriate) to 3 (very appropriate).

 

 

Category

TDM Program

 

 

Relationships With Other TDM Strategies

Transportation Management Associations are often created as part of local or regional government TDM policies and programs. TMAs typically support the following TDM strategies:

·       Access Management

·       Alternative Work Schedules

·       Commute Trip Reduction

·       Commuter Financial Incentives

·       Flextime Support

·       Freight Transport Management.

·       Guaranteed Ride Home

·       Operations

·       Parking Management

·       Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements

·       Ridesharing

·       Shuttle Services

·       Special Event Transport Management

·       TDM Marketing

·       Telework.

·       Transit Improvements

·       Transportation Access Guides

 

 

Stakeholders

TMA stakeholders include regional and local government agencies, transit providers, chambers of commerce or other business organizations, businesses, facility managers (such as a mall or medical center), employees, nearby residents and customers.

 

 

Barriers To Implementation

The main barriers are a lack of support among stakeholders, and often the perception that short-term benefits are small if there is no immediate parking or traffic congestion problem.

 

 

Best Practices

·       TMAs should support a variety of transportation services, travel options and incentives, including planning efforts to create more pedestrian- and transit-friendly land use, and parking brokerage services to help businesses share and trade their parking resources.

 

·       TMAs should include both positive and negative incentives. TDM programs tend to be most effective when they improve consumers’ travel choices and provide incentives to use alternatives to driving when possible.

 

·       TMAs should work to develop and maintain cooperation between transportation agencies, transit service providers, businesses, employees and residents who are affected by their programs.

 

·       Produce an annual “State of the Commute” report, which describes TDM programs and resources, travel trends, and comparisons with other communities.

 

Guiding Principles for the Establishment of An Area-Wide TMA

by Susan Philbin, Sowton Transport Management Association (www.sowtonforum.org.uk/tma.htm)

 

  1. Define the geographical area in which to site the TMA. This should not be too large so as to engender a ‘community’ spirit within the TMA – with all member companies working for the common good of the area.

 

  1. Undertake a site audit and assessment of existing situation including trip generation, mode split, public transport services and facilities and existing infrastructure to support sustainable transport modes.

 

  1. Establish contact with the business community through an existing business forum or chamber of commerce.

 

  1. Invite local councilors who may hold the environmental portfolio for the site to become involved in the management of the TMA.

 

  1. Work in partnership with the local highway authority and local planning authority to secure funding for the TMA and to provide sustainable transport infrastructure such as walk and cycle paths in the area.

 

  1. Engage with the local public transport providers to open channels for lobbying for discounted ticket, increased public transport services and increased or extended routes

 

  1. Establish funding streams and mechanisms for ongoing funding of the TMA before it is launched.

 

  1. Write a business plan for the TMA (how to raise fund and what the money will be spent on)

 

  1. Sell the business plan to gain business commitment

 

  1. Set up an interim board of directors from interested parties (local councilors, local authority officers, public transport operators and local business representatives)

 

  1. Directors must agree the business plan prior to the launch of the TMA and prior to registration as a not-for-profit company

 

  1. Write Memorandum and Articles of Association to establish the operating principles of the company

 

  1. Elect Chairman, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer

 

  1. Vote to agree business plan and budget

 

  1. Write job description for travel plan coordinator

 

  1. Establish line management and TP coordinator accountability

 

  1. Launch the TMA and raise awareness to businesses through local media

 

  1. Establish data base of businesses in defined geographical area with information regarding size, location, parking availability, whether or not they have a TP in place

 

  1. Contact the businesses, sell the TMA concept  – undertake staff travel surveys of those without Travel Plans in place

 

  1. Request sponsorship and seek further funding opportunities

 

  1. Prepare company Travel Plans for participating companies

 

  1. Liaise with existing Travel Plan Coordinators, local authorities and public transport providers to make best use of demand management measures already in place

 

  1. Continue awareness raising campaigns coordinated with local authority programmes and nationwide events

 

  1. Monitor effect of travel plans and sustainable transport measures through annual Automatic Traffic Count Data and Travel to Work Staff Surveys.

    Launch bus for the Sowton TMA taking delegates and invitees on a tour of the Sowton Industrial Estate
     

    Front Row Left to Right: Stuart Matthews from Ashfords Solicitors, Sue Philbin (Mills) instigator and facilitator of the Sowton TMA, John Smart (Exec Director IHT), cutting the ribbon is Jacqui Wilkinson DfT government minister, holding the ribbon Ian McGreggor, chairman of the Sowton TMA.
     

     

     

 

 

Examples and Case Studies

Ride-on (www.ride-on.org)

Ride-On in San Luis Obispo County, California is a non-profit transportation cooperative established in 1993 with a mission to develop and implement creative solutions to transportation and mobility issues that concern employers, businesses, medical providers, visitors services providers, special events coordinators, government agencies and individuals. It owns 35 vans and buses. The TMA is guided by a steering committee with representation from non-profit organizations, businesses and local government. It provides:

·       Shuttle bus services to regional transportation terminals.

·       Shuttle services fo