RD107 - How Virginia Is Using Transit and Transportation Demand Management Programs to Address Highway Congestion and Single Occupant Vehicle (SOV) Travel


Executive Summary:
This document is the Secretary of Transportation’s report to the Virginia General Assembly summarizing recent efforts undertaken in the Commonwealth of Virginia in fiscal year 2015 (FY15) to leverage the state’s investment in passenger rail, transit, and transportation demand management (TDM) programs to address highway congestion and single-occupant vehicle (SOV) travel. The report addresses the annual reporting requirement of Chapter 733 of the 2010 Acts of Assembly.

The efforts of the Virginia’s Department of Rail and Public Transportation, Department of Transportation, transit agencies and service providers, transportation demand management agencies and programs, and other partners provide mobility options and make Virginia’s transportation system more efficient. By focusing on moving people, not just vehicles, state, regional and local agencies provide Virginia’s residents and workforce with transportation choices that provide access to jobs, education, healthcare, shopping and entertainment. Multimodal options not only support a strong economy, attract businesses and a 21st century workforce, it also improves the efficiency of our transportation system and maximizes the investment in transportation.

Virginians have more surface travel options than ever before – carpool, vanpool, local bus, commuter bus, bus rapid transit, trolley, light rail, heavy rail (Metrorail), commuter rail (Virginia Railway Express), passenger rail (Amtrak), ferry, carsharing and bikesharing. More of Virginia’s workforce is eliminating commute to work trips by teleworking.

Last year (fiscal year 2015) teleworking removed nearly 96 million trips from Virginia’s roads and 48 million trips were removed by those that carpool. Virginia’s transit services provided nearly 205 million passenger trips, state-sponsored passenger rail services provided more nearly 900,000 passenger trips, and an estimated 5 million additional trips were taken in vanpools. While some of these trips were taken by people who could be considered “transit-dependent,” many were taken by those who could have driven alone in their own vehicles, but instead chose another mode. These people are called “choice riders,” and more and more of them are choosing to travel using transit, rail, vanpools, carpools, and biking.

The availability and use of these mode options help move more people while optimizing the use of Virginia’s roads. Imagine if everyone using transit, vanpools, carpools, and telework each day got into their personal vehicles. Virginia’s roadways would come to a standstill. Existing transit and transportation demand management (TDM) services across the Commonwealth add up to one unassailable conclusion – transit and TDM in Virginia are making an impact.

Quality of life, including alternative transportation options, plays a larger role in attracting desirable workers than ever before. These “creative” workers attract employers and act as economic multipliers for the communities in which they reside:

• 86% of Millennials say that is important that their city offer a low-cost public transportation system.

• 66% say that access to high-quality transportation is one of the top three criteria in considering deciding where to live next.

• Three in four say it is likely they will live in a place where they do not need a car to get around.

• 54% of Millennials would consider moving if another city had more and better transit options.

The FY15 Making an Impact Report to the Virginia General Assembly explores the growing importance of transit and TDM for Virginia’s economic development and vitality and showcases examples across the state in support of this position.