In the world of Transportation Demand Management, it's easy to talk about mode shift but it can be difficult to define a starting point. However, partnering with Arlington Transportation Partners (ATP) is an easy first step as the team can help your company create a zip code density map that will offer insights to current travel patterns.
What Are Density Maps?
Density maps are based on a collection of zip codes, sorted and counted, and then plotted on a map. Showing work/live relationships in a simple graphic helps provide a clear image of where travel originates. Although most Human Resources personnel can look up this information, having a visual representation helps present it in an unique way.
Density Maps and Mode Shift
Armed with information, businesses can help employees try different, healthier, and less stressful ways of getting around. Perhaps suggest carpooling to employees who live near each other, or offer Capital Bikeshare corporate memberships to residents who live within a four-mile radius of their office. Find out why employees who live near Metro stops are not using their monthly transit benefit or help employees who live 15 or more miles away explore VRE and MARC trains, or even commuter buses such as OmniRide.
Business Success
One Crystal City based employer created a density map and found that the largest number of employees commute from Columbia Pike and Alexandria, while a significant percentage also travel from Woodbridge. Transit options from Columbia Pike to Crystal City are limited to bus service, so ATP was able to provide specific bus routes, as well as bus options from Alexandria. From Woodbridge, there is not only the VRE, but also several commuter buses while vanpooling was also an option for these employees. The map's data also meant that the employer was aware of traffic and transit incidents in those regions, and understood that employees might have challenges arriving to work.
Create Your Own Density Map
Density maps are an easy activity because all you need to do is provide ATP with a list of current zip codes, and our team will do the rest, including offering a business a map and an analysis. Then when you host a wellness, benefits, or transportation event with ATP, your rep will provide more customized transit information. If you're ready to get started, connect with Arlington Transportation Partners today.
This post has been updated with new information written by Maggie Awad.
Photo Credit: Reema Desai/ReemaDesai.com for Arlington Transportation Partners