Austin is doubling down on its quest to ease traffic woes and clean up the air. The city's latest move? A five-year Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Plan, aimed at shifting focus from moving cars to moving people more efficiently. It's all part of a broader strategy to keep the city livable, despite a population boom. According to a City of Austin blog post, policy and programming efforts are being ramped up in order to encourage residents to consider alternatives like walking, biking, carpooling, public transit, or telework.
The backdrop for the strategic plan is Austin's expected growth, with one million new residents forecasted to move to the region by 2040. The city already feels the strain of burgeoning growth and with major infrastructure projects like the I-35 redesign and the arrival of a light rail system underway, there's no better time for an intervention. The goal, as stated in the city's blog, isn't to remove cars but to keep their numbers steady. This involves enticing more people to ditch the solo drive and opt for more sustainable modes of transport.
One of the key targets detailed in the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan (ASMP) was achieving a "50/50 mode share goal," signifying that only half the trips in Austin should be made by driving alone while the other half use alternative means. This kind of shift has been in the works since the city initially deployed the TDM in 2018. The needle has moved, too; solo car trips have reportedly declined from 74% of all travel to 59% since 2019, according to the city's numbers.
From what the city has outlined, TDM isn't just a plan; it's going to be an active part of how Austin approaches mobility. Efforts include educating various groups about transportation options, making sure new developments are designed to promote alternative transportation, and boosting the bikeshare system. The city also intends to foster a culture of diverse transport through events like community bike rides and walking tours, the city's blog notes.
The city is not just preaching change. It's also putting its money where its mouth is, with the help of a substantial Climate Pollution Reduction Grant from the EPA. An impressive $47.9 million is set to funnel into Austin's multipronged initiative, which involves not just the city but a gamut of regional partners. With these funds, Austinites can look forward to an enriched transit service and improved infrastructure designed to change the way they get around, all while helping the environment.
