Illustration of different transportation modes against a green background The face of commuting has changed drastically since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic last March. Hesitancy toward transportation modes that put us close together with strangers in an enclosed space, a huge increase in working from home where possible, and even lower gas prices (for a time) have seen people reconsider the way they get from home to work and play. So what does that mean for transportation demand management (TDM)?

Stanford University still has demand for TDM. Vanpools are still running, transit is still in use, and while TDM budgets have been cut (along with so many others), there’s still a need for it, and that need will likely grow as life gets back to something resembling normal.

Brian Shaw, CAPP, executive director of parking and transportation services at the university, takes a hard look at how the commuting landscape has changed and what that means for TDM, now and looking ahead, in the current issue of Parking & Mobility. It’s a great read with lots to think about–and the perfect, sustainable kickoff to Earth Day for parking and mobility professionals. Check it out here.

In 2019 Stanford University embarked upon its first major expansion, with the addition of a new 35-acre campus in Redwood City, Calif. While this new development marked an exciting and transformative time for the university, it required a significant transportation communication program to assist commuters with the transition.

Located five miles from Stanford’s main campus, the new campus brought together approximately 2,400 employees from nine university departments. At the new campus, more than half would be moving from free parking to paid parking.

Stanford Transportation developed and implemented a robust campus relocation outreach and commute resilience campaign, particularly focused on the numerous parking and transportation changes. The goal was to create a positive experience for the relocating staff members and inform commuters of options, including alternative transportation, mobility options, and telecommuting.

Stanford Transportation collaborated with local transit agencies, which included offering a free transit pass and promoting free and discounted sustainable transportation and mobility programs, including teleworking. The team engaged commuters with a commute survey and events such as “Try Your Commute Days,” First Friday commute events, and bike registration at the new campus.

Stanford Transportation implemented a comprehensive communications plan, while striving for transparency. A monthly email newsletter, “On the Move,” included shuttle updates, garage safety tips, commute options, alternative transportation details, and more. This was a vital resource for employees, connecting them with Stanford Transportation’s Stanford Redwood City microsite.

Stanford Transportation invited commuters to share their commute resilience tips and tricks with incentives for participating. The program was extremely successful, with over 1,000 submissions that are being featured in subsequent outreach. How-to videos helped commuters plan their trips, while targeted emails provided sample commute plans. A sustainable transportation checklist outlined options and resources with links, and commuters received incentives for completing their checklist.

Stanford Transportation succeeded at implementing a creative, interactive, and effective outreach for relocating commuters. Flexible carpools nearly doubled, and approximately 500 SRWC employees joined the Commute Club. Parking & Transportation Services moved to Stanford Redwood City in June 2019. We’re just a call, message, or click away.

Read the full article here.

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Considering a New TDM on Earth Day

2020 IPMI Marketing Award Winner: Mobility Marketing Program, Stanford University, California