Strategy 10 – Employer Transportation Coordinator (ETC) An employer transportation coordinator (ETC) is someone on an employer’s staff who manages and promotes TDM initiatives. The ETC serves as a liaison between the employer and the commuter agency. This strategy is particularly applicable for large companies or employment centers. The ETC can be formalized by an employer designating a staff person as the company’s ETC. The ETC is often a staff member of the Human Resource Department as commuter incentives can be associated with benefits. This person is charged with distributing rideshare and commuter benefit information along with transit schedules to new and existing employees. The ETC is typically provided with training and promotional materials during appointment of the task. The ETC can also be a volunteer within the company that is passionate about TDM activities and its associated benefits to the environment. This person may be trained and empowered as a “green advocate”. These volunteers help distribute TDM related information at their workplaces and throughout the community. This strategy is designed to provide a “point person” for TDM at each business or collection of businesses. The ETC is another way to disseminate information and answer questions from TDM participants. FDOT maintains standard training materials for ETCs. ETCs are most effective at larger employment centers. There are no large employment centers currently located within downtown Delray Beach; however, there are locations outside downtown where this strategy might be more applicable. This strategy will involve partnering with SFCS as the local clearinghouse of TDM information and services. Strategy 11 – Transportation Management Association or Initiative (TMA/TMI) TMAs and TMIs are formalized partnerships, usually between FDOT, a local government, and the business community, to champion TDM within a specific area. They often operate trolley or shuttle systems, promote TDM awareness, or conduct outreach. They can be incorporated as nonprofit corporations (TMA) or formed and funded via interlocal agreements (TMI). Most TMAs and TMIs are formed in urban areas, along congested corridors, or at major employment centers. The TMA/TMI fills the same role locally, and in depth, that county or regional Commuter Assistance Programs provide on a larger scale. This strategy provides an organization
whose sole purpose is implement TDM programs for the benefit of business and its employees. TMAs and TMIs are typically implemented when dense developments or employment centers are created or when local shuttle systems are implemented. The benefit of a TMA/TMI is the creation of an organization that is solely dedicated to the implementation of TDM programs. It is also a good way to shield government from liability. Currently, South Florida Commuter Services partners with the cities of West Palm Beach and Boca Raton to implement TMIs within the two cities. The City of Delray Beach had previously evaluated the feasibility of implementing a TMI within the City but it was not implemented at the time. The FDOT offers start-up funding to municipalities for the first three years of implementation of a TMI. The City is also expected to contribute a portion of the funding to show their level of commitment to the program. Through an interlocal agreement a joint partnership is established between the FDOT and the City, along with a proposed TDM program, and performance measures for evaluating success of the program. Through the TMI program, FDOT will offer an in-house consultant that will work with the City in implementing TDM programs through partnership with regional agencies and the business community. Depending on the level of funding available, the City can either choose a part-time or a full-time consultant for the TMI. Strategy 12 – Specialized TDM Activities These include special events or short term activities to launch concentrated TDM efforts. They are localized and focused, but usually of limited time and scope. Examples include shuttle or ridesharing to special events, TDM geared towards school children called “school pools”, or TDM measures instituted as mitigation during major road or bridge construction projects. This strategy takes advantage of community gatherings to get the word out about TDM. It also applies TDM strategies to specific situations such as special events and school transportation.
TDM Implementation in South Florida Many communities in South Florida have implemented TDM programs effectively to reduce single occupancy vehicles and reduce excessive parking needs within downtowns. Municipalities such as West Palm Beach and Boca Raton have partnered with the South Florida Commuter Services
to implement TMIs. Many cities also allow for parking reductions or variances from requirements if the developers can adequately demonstrate reduction in motor vehicle demand and hence parking demand. Developments that are adequately served by transit, bicycle and pedestrian facilities and supported by TDM programs can create a significant reduction in parking demand. Parking reductions for the implementation of TDM strategies can vary from 5 to 40 percent depending on the number of strategies utilized. For example, the City of Boca Raton allows for up to 5 percent parking reduction for developments that provide on-site showers, bike racks, transit stop, financial contribution for a local transit circulator, and TDM information kiosks.
TDM Implementation in Delray Beach The implementation of a TDM program can be a very effective tool in furthering the City and the CRA’s objectives of creating a more sustainable environment and reducing green house gas emissions. Currently, TDM programs are required to be implemented by large employers within the City’s Transportation Concurrency Exception Area (TCEA) according to Section 2.4.3(E)(3) of the City’s Land Development Code. According to the Code, any land use application within the TCEA that will result in the addition of more than 50 employees is required to submit a program to implement employer-based TDM activities. These activities may include, but are not limited to, ride sharing, van pooling, and flexible work hours. This requirement does not have any measurable performance related targets for the TDM program. The City should expand the current requirement to a tailored TDM plan for citywide or CRA-wide implementation. This plan should include specific implementation strategies and performance measures tied to participation in the program. Figure 7-1 illustrates a potential interim and long term TDM plan for Delray Beach. The components of the interim and long-term plan are identified below.
Interim TDM Plan TDM programs can be effectively implemented in the interim through development of a TDM marketing plan that will utilize regional resources such as FDOT/SFCS and the Palm Beach MPO. Partnering with the stakeholders at the beginning of the process will allow the City to gauge in the interest and level of participation from interested partners. The
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