Identifying TDM Corridors in Large Metropolitan Areas

Transportation Demand Management (TDM) remains an active goal for many metropolitan regions. While much has been written about TDM methods and their impacts, less is in the literature about quantitative methods to identify corridors where TDM may be feasible and have the greatest impact. In this paper, the authors develop and implement quantitative techniques to identify locations where TDM initiatives are (and are not) feasible to shift demand in time, space or mode. The authors apply the approach to the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) in Ontario Canada. The results demonstrate that the opportunities to shift auto demand in time are limited in the GTHA due to extended periods where demand reaches or exceeds capacity. By analyzing travel between mobility hubs (activity centers) in the GTHA, the authors identify several corridors where transit already provides service that is competitive with auto travel in terms of user costs. These corridors are strong candidates for improved performance through simple information provision. In other cases, transit or underutilized auto facilities may become competitive with existing congested freeways if effective road pricing initiatives are introduced. The results of the work can inform and prioritize TDM initiatives in the GTHA.