Finding the Right TDM Strategy

Try Rideshare

Traditional ridesharing occurs when people share a ride from a common origin, such as a residence or park-and-ride lot, to a common destination, such as an employer or special event venue. These rideshare participants normally share the cost of the trip and the volunteer driver does not earn a profit from the trip. Carpooling and vanpooling are traditional rideshare options available to you as an alternative to driving alone.

So What Is Carpooling?
Carpooling is defined as two to five people sharing a ride in a passenger car. There are two basic types of carpool arrangements: (1) Carpoolers can use one car owned by one driver and agree to share the commute costs or (2) Carpoolers can rotate car use so that each person's vehicle and driving time is shared equally. No money is exchanged in this arrangement.

So What is Vanpooling?
Vanpooling is defined as a group of six to fifteen people share a ride in a high occupancy vehicle or passenger van. A member of the group volunteers to be the primary driver and is usually the person responsible for collecting the monthly fares and completing required paperwork. All vanpool drivers in the Regional Vanpool Program must have a valid Texas Driver's License and are carefully screened for driving ability and safety record. The cost of the van lease, insurance, and maintenance are covered with the monthly fare.

Benefits of Carpooling and Vanpooling

• Reduces commuting costs for the participants
• Reduces traffic congestion and air pollution
• Alleviates commuter stress
• People who carpool are eligible for discounts on their auto insurance
• Eligible to travel in the High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes at no cost and Managed Lane facilities at a reduced cost.

Interested in finding a carpool or vanpool match? Visit TryParkingIt.com, the region’s ride-match and commute tracking website, for possible ride-matches that meet your commuting needs.   For specific information on available vanpools operating throughout the region, visit the Regional Vanpool Program  page.

What is a Transportation Network Company?

A Transportation Network Company (TNC) is an on-demand ride service provider, like Uber, Lyft, or Waze Carpool, that offers for-profit driving services which allow passengers to connect with and pay drivers who use their personal vehicles for trips requested through an app-based service. The rides provided by TNCs are generally one-way in nature.  Drivers are not volunteers, but are hired to provide the transportation service. 

Our region is also home to other public transportation providers.  To view an extensive list of these providers, visit the Transit Providers web page.

Try Transit

 A variety of transit options are available in the North Texas area. The three main providers are Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), which serves the Greater Dallas area; Trinity Metro (previously known as The T), which serves the Greater Fort Worth area; and the Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA), which serves the Greater Lewisville and Denton area. These transit agencies offer numerous transit services, including bus routes, light rail, and commuter rail services. DART also operates a light rail line. The Trinity Railway Express, which provides commuter rail service between Dallas and Fort Worth, is jointly implemented by DART and Trinity Metro.

Visit the Transit Providers web page for more information. 

Try Active Transportation - Biking and Walking

Biking and walking as alternative commute options are both cost effective and great for personal health.  Using these commute modes, along with transit (if necessary) to get to and from work will make for more economical and healthy trips.  Regional transit agencies also offer bike racks on buses, light rail, and commuter rail; and many stations and transit centers have bike racks, bike lids, and bike lockers available too.  Additionally there is a network of bike and pedestrian paths throughout the region to give a sense of comfort and safety when choosing to bike or walk.  More information on bike and pedestrian options in the region can be found on the Bicycle-Pedestrian webpage.

Try Telecommuting

Telecommuting can eliminate a work trip completely by bringing the job to the person instead of the person to the job. In short, you work from home or a remote location close to home. Existing technology allows this alternative commute option to be efficient, easy, and effective. Employees can be linked to the workplace by computer or can do work that requires nothing more than a telephone.  Telecommuting does not have to be an everyday occurrence; telecommuting once a week can still produce positive result.  Telecommuting typically is right for employees that:

• have tasks that can be done at home
• need little face-to-face contact with customers
• are sales or field workers
• have access to the equipment they need to work at home
• are self-starters
• can work with little supervision
• don't need to be around people every day

Benefits of Telecommuting

• Save money by reducing commuting costs
• Allows a more flexible work arrangement for employees, thereby increasing their productivity
• Improved work environment
• Increase employment opportunities
• Reduce absenteeism and sick leave
• Reduce traffic congestion and air pollution

Although telecommuting may not be an option for all commuters, if your employer has an established telecommute program, then it’s definitely worth trying.  Contact your employer’s Human Resources Department to determine if telecommuting is an available option.

Try Compressed Work Weeks

A compressed work week is a work option that allows employees to work more hours per day but fewer days within a one or two week period. There are several variations of compressed work weeks. Some employers may only offer one of these options, while others will allow employees to pick which option is best for them. The most common options include:

• 9/80 -- working 80 hours within nine days with the tenth day off
• 4/40 -- working 40 hours within four days with the fifth day off

Benefits of Working a Compressed Work Weeks?

• Helps reduce traffic congestion and air pollution during peak travel periods
• Has the potential to reduce vehicle miles of travel across the work week
• Reduce commute costs by eliminating one commute day from the work week or pay period
• Allows increased flexibility, thereby improving employee morale while decreasing tardiness and absenteeism

Try Flexible Work-Hour Schedules

A flexible work-hour schedule or flextime allows employees to modify their arrival and departure times to work. Most flexible work-hour schedule policies adopted by employers establish a core period of time that all employees must be present. Employees can then adjust their start and end times around the core period.

Benefits of a Flexible Work Schedule

• Allows an adjustment in work schedule to better meet transportation needs
• Avoid traffic congestion during the rush hour
• Helps reduce traffic congestion and air pollution during peak travel periods

Although telecommuting, compressed work schedules, or flexible work-hour schedules may not be an option for all commuters, if your employer has an established telecommute, compressed work week or flexible work-hour schedule program, then it’s definitely worth trying.  Contact your employer’s Human Resources Department to determine if these alternative commute options are available options through your employer.