Manage Demand 3

Transportation modeling conducted for this study has shown that both current summer season and future year (2035) travel demand in the Highway 22 corridor will support expanded capacity by traditional highway engineering principles. Modeling also shows that a four lane Highway 22 with no restrictions on lane usage will lead to significant increases in vehicle miles traveled within Teton County. Inducing more auto travel and reducing the efficacy of investments in pathways and START Bus goes against ITP goals and will move Teton County further from meeting critical climate and congestion targets.

It is time for Teton County to invest in transportation demand management programs (TDM) as WYDOT is leading a process to study Highway 22 alternatives. TDM is a proven suite of strategies, grounded in economics, that can be deployed to influence people’s travel choices.

A good TDM program doesn’t attempt to influence everyone’s travel behavior, but rather attempts to reduce unnecessary vehicle trips and shift the mode of trips that can be made regularly or most cost effectively on bike, bus, foot, or shared ride.

A successful TDM program requires participation from local government and the private business community. TDM efforts should focus on three key travel markets (see opposite page).

Manage What We Have

Most transportation problems share a common root: market distortions that result in excessive automobile use. From this perspective, solving transport problems requires planning reforms that increase transport options and market reforms that give consumers suitable incentives to choose the best option for each individual trip. The motto is, “increase transportation system diversity and efficiency.”

The transportation industry is perpetually looking forward to ask: what is the next BIG THING that will revolutionize mobility? Meanwhile, our U.S. states, counties, and cities struggle to maintain the infrastructure we have in place What is truly needed is an incremental approach that consists of management innovations that result in more efficient use of existing transportation systems. Both pricing—pricing parking is more efficient than roadway travel given enforcement challenges on roadways with limited access management—and incentives are essential to move the needle.

Commuter Market

People traveling to jobs present the best opportunity to shift travel. Regular schedules are easier to build quality options for, such as fixed route bus service. People who make a trip daily also benefit from the opportunity to make better use of travel time (i.e., sleeping or working on a bus).

Strategies

• Enhanced commuter bus service to Teton County, ID and Lincoln County, WY.

• Expanded park and ride system

• Dynamically scheduled commuter van service for offpeak trips

• Commute Trip Reduction Programing including requirements for large employers

• Downtown Jackson Transportation Demand Management Association

Visitor Market

Summer visitors to Jackson often range widely to visit national parks, hike, and float the area’s wild river. This makes car travel attractive. Coordinated efforts to advertise car-free visitation options pre-arrival, provide options to key destinations, and coordinate with Grand Teton National Park are essential to reduce auto travel among this group.

Strategies

• National Park bus from Stilson & Town

• Internal shuttle service at Grand Teton National Park

• Enhanced traveler information and travel options marketing

• Pre-arrival “visit without a car campaign”

• Expanded shared mobility options including car share

• Lodging and activity center based e-bike program

Local Travelers

While summer visitors may push local roads to capacity (and over), residents make most trips on Teton County roadways. The diversity of trip types made by residents make targeted TDM programing a challenge. Essential ingredients to changing travel behavior include making transit and cycling ubiquitous and convenient while discouraging driving for short trips.

Strategies

• Downtown Jackson parking management and pricing

• Right-size parking supply

• Reduce minimums requirements

• Encourage shared parking

• Expand local transit service

• Require developers to provide travel options over parking