Location

New York, NY

Client

Columbia University

Services

  • Traffic Impact Analysis

  • Urban Design

  • Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning

Columbia University Transportation Demand Management Plan

 

As part of Columbia University’s new Manhattanville campus, Sam Schwartz developed a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) plan to reduce single occupancy vehicle travel to the site. The TDM effort is intended to help the University increase the use of sustainable transportation modes and improve non-vehicular access to the campus, while drastically reducing the need for parking. Extensive research was conducted into case studies at similar campuses around the country to identify measures with proven success at changing travel modes. In addition, a comprehensive travel survey was conducted to gain insight into the current travel patterns of university staff, faculty, and students, as well as to gauge their receptiveness to a variety of potential TDM measures being considered for implementation, such as transit subsidies, shuttle buses, park and ride locations, etc.

The research and survey results were used to quantify the likely benefits of each potential TDM measure in terms of estimated mode shift and associated reduction in parking demand. These estimates were accepted by the New York City Department of City Planning as justification to greatly reduce parking construction minimums at the new campus. The ultimate result was the elimination of an otherwise-required sub-surface parking structure that would have provided over 1,800 parking spaces. Sam Schwartz is currently working with the University to help implement the recommended TDM strategies.