Require new developments or redevelopments to prepare a travel demand management plan or transit-oriented development standards or LEED for Neighborhood Development certification.
Best Practice of this action
Rating Guideline
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Adopt a travel demand management (TDM) plan or a transit-oriented development standard (TOD) district ordinance. Report a TDM plan/program for city employees under BPA 12.5. |
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Adopt TDM performance standards with provisions such as requiring large employers (250+ employees) seeking rezoning/redevelopment rights to provide a TDM plan that would reduce trips by 7-10%. Note if working with a TMO (Transportation Management Organization). |
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Adopt both a transit-oriented development district ordinance and travel demand management performance standards; document that a development project certifies under the LEED for Neighborhood Development program; document a tripling of non-single-occupancy vehicle use in the downtown core or in the city as a whole; report noise pollution reduction in one or more TOD/TDM districts (daytime ambient noise levels under 70 dBa in commercial areas). |
Resources
- See TDM and TOD model ordinances in Minnesota's 2009 Model Ordinances for Sustainable Development.
- Climate Strategies that Work (U.S. DOT, 2024) provides actionable information for 27 transportation-related emission reduction strategies (including Improved Travel Demand Modeling, Intelligent Transportation Systems, Transit System Integration, Transit Oriented Development, Zoning Reform) through well-vetted guides detailing benefits, implementation steps, and resources.
- See A Guide to Noise Control in Minnesota and MN noise rules on the MPCA's noise pollution page. Also see resources at the Noise Pollution Clearinghouse.
Travel Demand Management Plans:
- Plans can be informal or voluntary.
- The cities of Bloomington and Eden Prairie require a TDM plan and a financial guarantee as a condition of approval for new and re-developments. Employers receive their financial guarantee back in two years if they have achieved their TDM goals, or if not, the city can use the money to purchase transit passes or provide a financial incentive for non-drive-alone commuters.
Transit-Oriented Development Standards:
- See the Metro Council's 2016 Transit-Oriented Development Guide and other resources/examples for cities.
- The City of Saint Paul Transit-Oriented Development Guidebook for the Central Corridor was developed in 2011.
LEED for Neighborhood Development:
- Development projects certified under LEED for Neighborhood Development can earn credits for TDM policies/practices and for citing housing and jobs more proximately. Estimated reductions in vehicle miles per person-trip for 12 LEED-ND projects that were studied in depth (Journal of Planning Education and Research: 2013) ranged from 24% to 60% of their respective regional averages.
Order Number
4
Action Type
Finite