DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Razi Hosseini, P.E., R.P.L.S.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT: Transportation Demand Management
SUMMARY:
A briefing on the Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program and Transportation & Capital Improvements (TCI) continuing efforts to promote and execute TDM in San Antonio.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In August 2016, the adopted SA Tomorrow Multimodal Transportation Plan prescribed policies and practices to guide the implementation of the goals of the plan. Several of the proposed actions support Transportation Demand Management (TDM), but with a targeted focus of coordinating with major employers and institutions to develop TDM plans and strategies to address commute challenges.
In September 2017, Councilmembers Rey Saldana (District 4) and Ana Sandoval (District 7) submitted a Council Consideration Request (CCR) on creating a City program for developing and executing TDM strategies to increase use of mass transit, carpools, and other alternatives to the “one-person one-vehicle” daily commute pattern. TCI conducted several stakeholder meetings and ultimately recommended that starting an internal pilot would be the most successful first step in addressing alternative commuting in San Antonio.
As a result of the CCR, funding for a staff position and program was established in the FY 2019 budget. The TDM Manager was hired in February 2019 to establish and execute the TDM program. This position is focusing first on municipal efforts to provide employee incentives to promote the reduction of single occupancy vehicles (SOVs) such as preferred carpool parking, vanpool, and VIA transit passes. Future efforts will expand to include similar support of area employers and agencies. The program’s primary focuses include program implementation, education and outreach, and policy development.
ISSUE:
The TDM manager was hired in February 2019 and the primary responsibilities have been providing oversight of federal funding through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Program, developing and launching a City downtown employee vanpool pilot program, and developing educational materials around programs, incentives, and benefits related to commuting.
In addition to this, staff has identified several opportunities to expand existing programs and introduce new programs that support efforts related to TDM. Each aspect of FY 2020’s programming requires continued coordination and communication within TCI, as well as across other departments and outside organizations, for the program to be successful. FY 2020 program priorities include:
• CMAQ Program Funding Oversight
o Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Program - A three-year, $750,000 program to support City efforts related to vanpool, carpool, telecommuting, and commuter education
o Sustainability/Heath Education & Outreach Programs - Coordination support with City departments of Metropolitan Health District (SAMHD) and Office of Sustainability (OS) for three, three-year programs (Clean Air for Kids! Voluntary Anti-Idling at Schools, EV-SA Public Information Campaign, and Automotive Gas Cap Replacement Program) totaling $450,000 to reduce vehicle emissions
o Medical Center Green Street (Hamilton Wolfe/Ewing Halsell) - Construction of the second cycle track in the Medical Center totaling $6,000,000.00.
o Traffic Signal Optimization - Data collection and implementation of updated traffic signal timing plans along the City’s top 100 corridors
o Citywide Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) - Enhancements related to traffic monitoring equipment, vehicle detection devices, and automated data collection equipment
• Policy
o Policy and program development, including identification and preparation of potential Unified Development Code (UDC) updates
• City of San Antonio Employee Incentives & Benefits
o Vanpool Pilot Program
o B-Cycle Passes
o Bike Share Program
o Educational & Outreach Programs
• Data Collection & Analysis
o Bicycle Counting Program
• Infrastructure
o Bicycle Parking Program
Programs such as Bicycle Counting & Bicycle Parking support the ongoing work of TCI’s Vision Zero and SA Bikes initiatives.
Due to the variety of strategies the TDM program is pursuing, staff has also emphasized partner coordination efforts, both within the City and across public agencies. The TDM manager meets on a biweekly basis with City staff from the Metropolitan Health District and Office of Sustainability’s Ozone Attainment Program as part of a coordinated effort to support the Getting to 70 Committee. Staff also coordinates with Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO) “Alamo Commutes” on outreach and engagement efforts, as well as future incentives or resources that can supplement the CoSA programs. Staff is creating an internal TDM Working Committee, comprised of staff from the City Manager’s Office, Center City Development & Operations, Human Resources, Metropolitan Health District, Office of Sustainability, Development Services, Disability Access Office, Office of Innovation, and Office of Equity to ensure continued interdepartmental communication and coordination of TDM-related policies, projects, and programs.
ALTERNATIVES:
There are no alternatives to propose as this is a staff briefing only.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this briefing.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff will present a briefing on the Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program and Transportation & Capital Improvements (TCI) continuing efforts to promote and execute TDM in San Antonio, subject to possible action by the Committee.