What is Travel Demand Management? 

Travel Demand Management (TDM) is a set of strategies that seeks to mitigate traffic congestion and alter travel behavior through programs of incentives, services, and policies including encouraging the reduction of single occupancy vehicles and by spreading out peak hour travel volumes over time.  The Victoria Transport Policy Institute's Online TDM Encyclopedia provides a comprehensive overview of TDM strategies, benefits, definitions, etc.

Why is TDM Important? 

The Monadnock Region population is as highly mobile as any in the U.S. with most of residents working and shopping outside their towns of residence. Residents travel on average 23 minutes one way to work each day with most (~80%) driving alone and most households (~63%) having two or more cars (Source: U.S. Decennial Census, 2000).  By the year 2025, the Monadnock Region will face many challenges to maintaining the level of mobility currently enjoyed by residents. Some of these challenges include:

Population Growth

The region’s population will increase in both size and
age, necessitating a continued high level of service on
theroadways as well as an expansion in nontraditional
transportation services.

Infrastructure Maintenance and Improvements

Transportation infrastructure will require rehabilitation
at a time of decreasing funding and increasing material
costs.

Aging Population

An older population will require more public assistance in
getting to appointments and shopping, as well as modified
design standardsfor our roadways’ geometry, safety
features, and signage.

What is a Transportation Management Association (TMA)? 

In the United States, TMAs tend to be non-profit, member-controlled organizations that provide a framework for the public and private sector to promote a variety of services that encourage more efficient use of transportation and parking resources. TMAs work to build consensus on transportation needs and solutions and provide technical assistance, education services and promotion on ways to improve transportation.

There are currently two TMAs in New Hampshire – the Upper Valley TMA and PATH, Program for Alternative Transportation and Health, which serves the Concord area.