# Transportation Demand Management (TDM) TDM is the name of policies and strategies that collectively aim to influence personal transportation choices and reduce the prevalence of traffic-causing single-occupancy vehicle trips (people traveling alone in their own cars, but also ride hail trips). This is largely done by marketing other options, increasing their attractiveness, incentivizing bundling trips, or reducing transportation costs. In some cases it could mean eliminating free parking as an employee or customer benefit and, in the case of employees, passing the savings on in the form of a cash bonus (parking cashout). ## Rules in Chicago New construction projects in B, C, and D zoning districts and also within rail station TOD areas (also known as transit-served locations) must comply with the Travel (Transportation) Demand Study and Management Plan rules. This was adopted in 2022 as part of [[Connected Communities]], and the standards are in the Municipal Code sections 17-3-0308 and 17-4-0301. The rules were established in mid-2023; [read our blog post about the requirements](https://www.chicagocityscape.com/blog/chicago-deploys-its-first-tdm-requirements-for-new-construction-in-rail-station-tod-areas-0cb6a82403). CDOT also published resources and this is the recommended reading order: 1. [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/cdot/CDOTPRC/TDM%20FAQ.pdf). Essential reading for property owners, architects, developers, and zoning attorneys who haven’t heard of TDM. 2. [Developments that the guidelines apply to](https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/cdot/CDOTPRC/Guidelines%20for%20TDM%20Requirement%20V1.1%20FINAL%20DRAFT.pdf). Fundamentally, “the guidelines only apply to new construction within B, C, and D zoning districts within 1/2 mile of CTA and Metra stations.” [Look up your property on Chicago Cityscape](http://chicagocityscape.com/address.php) to determine how far away from a CTA or Metra rail station it is. Specifically, this document indicates the level of compliance each development must achieve based on its bulk and land use (see the tiers chart below). 3. [List of possible TDM strategies to propose](https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/cdot/CDOTPRC/TDM%20Strategies%206.16.23.pdf). The non-exhaustive list of TDM strategies describes some of the physical or programmatic changes a developer can propose to or in their development to reduce the prevalence of people driving alone to the site. Additional strategies include: - on-site childcare so that caregivers can make fewer trips in a day, regardless of their transportation mode - providing a pool of e-bikes for tenants or residents to use to get groceries - building higher-quality bike rooms for tenants and workers that are more secure, closer to the street, or have e-bike charging points  *Chart, provided by CDOT, showing the tiers and level of compliance with each.* ### Additional resources The Chicago Department of Transportation published a [TDM strategies document](https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/cdot/CDOTPRC/CDOT%20TDM%20Strategies%20FINAL.pdf) in August 2024.  ## Consultants - [Journey Mobility](https://www.journeymobility.co). Contact Lauren Mattern. - Sam Schwartz Engineering. Contact Sara Disney-Haufe.