Comparison of transportation demand management market research study results and transportation management association development in three suburban activity centers.

A focus of transportation demand management (TDM) planning and implementation efforts in suburban orange county, california, has been at the activity centre level. The efforts have entailed organising activity centre employers to participate in TDM planning through transportation management associations (TMAs) or other related groups and then establishing and implementing TDM programs at the centres. Market research studies are conducted to assist in planning and implementation at each centre. A comparison of TDM planning, TMA development, and program implementation efforts in three activity centres is presented in this paper. The activity centres represent each section of the county: Newport Centre in the south, South Coast Metro in the centre, and Brea in the north. A brief description of each area is provided, followed by the study methodology, survey results, and, finally, the status of TMA and program implementation efforts. The activity centres not only represent different regions, employment compositions, and levels of involvement and commitment from the cities and business communities, but also different stages in program development. Therefore, comparisons between the centres are provided throughout the paper and similarities and differences are reviewed in the conclusion.