TDM STRATEGY

The City of Atlanta’s resident population is projected to nearly triple in the next 25 years, and Central Atlanta Progress is invested in ensuring that Downtown—a key area for absorbing that growth—is prepared. With optimal transit access, a strong employer base and substantial real estate investment, it’s time to focus on how people travel to and through Downtown. CAP/ADID continues to invest in and advocate for infrastructure that encourages alternative transportation (such as bike lanes, transit expansion, and sidewalks) and to work with employers and employees through the Downtown Connects program. The last part of the puzzle is shifting travel behavior to optimize the use of existing infrastructure through the adoption policy and regulations.

To further explore the policy side of transportation demand, CAP/ADID, working alongside Midtown Alliance and Livable Buckhead, developed the City of Atlanta Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Strategy with funding from the Atlanta Regional Commission. The study outlines several policies to help shift commutes.

CAP/ADID is currently in the process of advancing two of the key policies outlined in the City of Atlanta TDM Strategy:

Better Incorporating TDM into the Built Environment

Working with the ATL DOT and the Department of City Planning, zoning code regulations regarding TDM are in the process of being updated to align with national best practices. The program will pilot in Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead and focuses on site-specific elements—ranging from direct MARTA station access to transit real-time arrival screens to unbundling parking—that effectively encourage clean commuting.

Exploring the Feasibility of Implementing a Parking Tax

In partnership with the ATL DOT, CAP/ADID is exploring the feasibility of implementing a parking tax in the City of Atlanta. If structured appropriately, a parking tax has the potential to encourage mode shift, promote higher and better land use, and raise dedicated revenue. The current study, which is anticipated to wrap up in the end of 2020, analyzes potential structures for a parking tax, the incidence and externalities of a tax, and forecasts scenarios for revenue generation.

For additional information about this project, contact Shayna Pollock at spollock@atlantadowntown.com or (404) 658-5984.