Managing Travel Demand – Making the Health Connection Results from European Scanning Trip Presented at: Healthy Regions, Healthy People Lake Arrowhead, October 18,2005

European Scan International Technology Scanning Program: Managing Traffic Congestion and Demand Co-sponsored by: Federal Highway Administration American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials National Cooperative Highway Research Program

MTCD Scan Panel Members Douglas H. Differt, Minnesota DOT Co-Chair Wayne Berman, FHWA Co-Chair Kurt Aufschneider, New Jersey DOT Lap T. Hoang, Florida DOT Robert E. Hull, Utah DOT Ann Flemer, MTC Oakland, CA Patrick DeCorla-Souza, FHWA Grant Zammit, FHWA Eric N. Schreffler, ESTC

MTCD Scan Locations Visited Stockholm Lund London The Netherlands Cologne Rome

Overview Why manage demand? Scan background Pricing example Highway example Planning example Integrated example Lessons learned

Why Manage Demand? 1. Reduce traffic congestion 2. Reduce automobile emissions 3. Reduce energy consumption 4. Enhance livability 5. Improve health

Topics of Interest for the Scan What are the practices used to mitigate traffic congestion by managing system demand? Four key MTCD Scan Topics: –Physical –Operational –Financial and Pricing –Institutional How are these practices being researched, planned, and applied? What benefits have been realized through the use of these practices?

Strategies Examined Range of techniques used to manage demand: –For work trips and employment growth. –For special events, tourism, road reconstruction, etc. –During traffic incidents, emergencies, weather, etc. –For freight traffic. Use of technology to manage demand. Use of pricing to manage demand. Policies, programs, and research on managing demand. Explored policy objectives, including: congestion, environment, energy, sustainability, health.

Pricing Example Example: ROME Access Control System restricted cars from entering core, except for residents and permit buyers (€340/yr.); has reduced traffic entering zone by 20% and enhanced access within core

Pricing Example Examples: ROME and STOCKHOLM Restrictions put into place to enhance livability of historic core and to lower auto emissions

Highway Example Example: ROTTERDAM Photo enforcement used to maintain lower speeds (80 kph) on highways in urban areas

Highway Example Example: ROTTERDAM Reduction in speed implemented to reduce localized emissions and noise in adjacent neighborhoods

Planning Example Example: THE UNITED KINGDOM School travel plans will be required at ALL primary and secondary schools in the U.K. by 2010 – investing over $80 million in advisors and capital grants

Planning Example Example: THE UNITED KINGDOM While objectives are to reduce congestion and improve safety around schools, health benefits are a key aspect of the campaign.

Integrated Example Example: LUND, SWEDEN Comprehensive, integrated sustainable transport program (LundaMaTs) implemented, resulting in overall decrease in vehicle travel by 1-2%, effectively “decoupling” traffic and economic growth

Integrated Example Example: LUND, SWEDEN Provided individualized travel planning to induce new bus riders and “healthy bikers” who continued using new mode after test

Lessons for U.S. While demand management techniques are largely implemented in the U.S. to reduce congestion, the air quality and personal health benefits derived from these programs are gaining recognition in Europe

How to Get Reports MTCD Scan report available in early 2006 FHWA U.S. Demand Management report available at: dot.gov/tdm/index.ht m