TRANSDEF Proposes New Approach at TAM
04/24/14 Filed in: Transportation Planning
TRANSDEF appeared at the Transportation Authority of Marin to propose a strategic approach to operating the agency. In particular, the time has come to recognize that the era of the single-occupant vehicle is over. There isn’t enough roadway capacity to accommodate all those solo drivers, and there isn’t enough money or right-of-way to feasibly do that. Rather than having a congestion problem, Marin has an expectation problem, in which people expect to be able to drive alone.
If the smartphone apps for ridematching became popular, significant numbers of people would be able to locate someone in real time that is going where they are going. A modest increase in carpooling could end roadway congestion, at least on those road segments without local bottlenecks. This memo contained some of the operational ideas. Other Marin-oriented policy papers are available here.