Transportation Demand Management (TDM) is the strategy to promote alternative modes of transportation and reduce single-occupancy vehicles on the road. There is a menu of either policy or infrastructure TDM strategies that can be applied and a wide variety of technology companies that support these strategies. Most parking planners and engineers are familiar with rideshare (i.e. Uber and Lyft), carshare (i.e. Car2Go, Zipcar, and Enterprise), bikeshare (i.e. Bird and LimeBike), and all the other micromobility services available (i.e. scooters, mopeds, etc.). However, there are some lesser known technology companies that can support TDM strategies.
Carpooling
To promote carpooling municipalities may offer toll discounts for high-occupancy vehicles (HOV). GoCarma is a bluetooth enabled device that detects when people with the app are in a vehicle. This would then allow this vehicle to use HOV or toll lanes at a discounted price, if offered by the jurisdiction. This technology was recently implemented in North Texas, which offers a 50% toll discount.
Ridematching
Another strategy to help facilitate carpooling is through ridematching services. Zimride (by Enterprise) is a secure ride-sharing platform for companies and universities. Employers and universities can offer incentives to employees or students that carpool, including discounted parking and premium parking.
TDM Program Software for Employees
Luum is a company that offers software for employers to engage employees, administer benefits, manage parking, and integrate mobility options. This is a great tool to help manage and promote a TDM program implemented by a company. The software platform allows for seamless reimbursement of commute expenses, management of pre-tax dollars for commute expenses, real-time data on program performance, parking management, and social interaction between employees.
Another TDM management platform similar to Luum is offered by the company RideAmigos. This is a commuter management platform that can be offered by employers to promote alternative modes of transportation. This platform can help match ridesharing partners, facilitate parking cash-out programs, connect to multimodal trip planners, offer competitions and incentives, and allow employers to analyze the results of the programs.
There is a wide landscape of companies that offer technologies and services that promote alternative modes of transportation. The next big horizon is mobility aggregators (i.e. cogo) that would combine real-time information on mobility services and payment on one platform. However, these applications are limited due to commercial agreements and privacy from rideshare companies, micromobility companies, and parking facility owners.
