Foursquare ITP developed a strategic plan for Arlington County’s transportation demand management (TDM) program to guide the county’s commuter services bureau through the challenging post-pandemic mobility landscape. Arlington County has historically had one of the nation’s most robust TDM programs, offering services to employers, multi-family residential buildings, and commuters that provide them with information, options, and programs to encourage the use of sustainable modes of transportation. While the county enjoys a low drive-alone mode share the program needed to pivot to better serve the needs of Arlington residents, workers, and visitors–including a greater focus on equity populations.
Foursquare ITP conducted a broad and deep evaluation of the needs of travelers–both commuters and for other trips–as well as the current program and its many components. The work included compiling historic performance data from many disparate sources, understanding the program’s many functions – including outreach, marketing, research, sales, and site plan condition oversight – and incorporating input from internal and external stakeholders into a story of what is working well and what changes should be made.
The county’s TDM strategic plan includes detailed program recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of the program and modify elements to align with the current ways that people obtain information and how they travel. The recommendations developed through the plan were compelling to the county, so Foursquare ITP conducted an additional organizational assessment task which reviewed the program compared to other large TDM programs, evaluated staffing and organizational structure, and made concrete recommendations for roles, organizational structure, and staffing to set the agency up for successful implementation of the TDM plan. The county’s Commuter Services bureau chief and her team have a very detailed, actionable plan from which to lead the program into its next phase.
Solutions and Outcomes
- Five-year plan for continued success and improvements to the TDM program.
- Target markets to guide focus toward all trip types and to address equity needs.
- Financial plan that supports funding diversification and efficient use of program funds.
- Clear path to tracking and monitoring program KPIs and metrics.
- An organizational assessment and recommendations to support plan implementation.