Simply put, transportation management focuses on providing access to desired destinations by a variety of modes, rather than just in private vehicles. This page provides an overview of its benefits, supported by specific articles on programs and traffic assessment.
Besides reducing greenhouse gases, the main benefits are lower road construction costs, lower personal transportation costs, and potentially lower traffic congestion. Furthermore, they may help increase economic activity, in contrast to David Engwicht's observation that “traffic dilutes the density of exchange opportunities and scatters them wider.”
In fact, some level of traffic congestion isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It can stimulate more sustainable transportation choices by making walking and cycling more attractive. Plus, somewhat slower traffic and active use of street parking signals that a neighborhood shopping area is vibrant and attractive.
Examples of City initiatives demonstrate the enormous positive impact transportation management can have:
- Marin County: Marin County’s Safe Routes to Schools program is one of many in the country; it has reduced single-student car trips by 13 percent, and that in turn has reduced traffic congestion and accidents and promoted active lifestyles for students.
- Vancouver: The City of Vancouver, British Columbia, has increased the population on its downtown peninsula by 50 percent (about 40,000 people) in the past 15 years and improved streets for pedestrians, while not adding road capacity. Traffic volumes in and out of downtown have decreased by 7 percent over the same period, and average vehicle miles traveled citywide have decreased by 29 percent.
