Transportation Demand Management (TDM) is a set of strategies that aim to reduce traffic congestion and improve mobility by changing how, when, and why people travel. Instead of building more roads, TDM promotes options like carpooling, transit, biking, walking, and telecommuting. It also supports policies and programs that make these alternatives easier and more appealing. The goal is to use the transportation system more efficiently while reducing environmental impacts and improving quality of life.
Key elements of TDM include:
- Behavioral change strategies: Encouraging people to choose alternatives to driving alone through education, outreach, and incentives.
- Policy and program tools: Implementing flexible work hours, telework programs, parking pricing, and employer-based commuter benefits.
Supportive infrastructure and planning: Coordinating with land use planning, improving access to transit and bike facilities, and designing walkable communities.
Guaranteed Ride Home
Looking to take transit, bike, or walk to work or school but worried about what you would do in an emergency? The VTA Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) Program is here for you so you can put those worries aside!
Vanpool
Tired of taking a hit to your wallet at the gas pump? Join or create a vanpool and save on your daily commute through VTA’s Vanpool Subsidy Program!
Transit Oriented Communities
VTA has a strategy for a different kind of growth: Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) are vibrant, livable places near transit, with homes, jobs, parks, and shops that connect well to the surrounding neighborhoods, where traveling by bus, light rail, train, bike, scooter, skateboard, or on foot is safe, reliable, and convenient.
Equitable VMT
The Equitable Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Mitigation Program aims to reduce the amount of driving from land use developments in Santa Clara County, working across jurisdictional lines and improving travel options. The amount of driving, or VMT, is tied to greenhouse gas emissions, local air quality, health, noise pollution, and street safety. So lowering VMT improves quality of life and the environment.
SmartCommute
Are you ready to earn rewards as you commute to work? Join VTA’s SmartCommute Challenge this summer! Pick a smarter way to travel – whether it's sharing a ride, pedaling through, walking, or catching a VTA bus or light rail. Sign up to earn points and win rewards!
Peery Park Rides
Peery Park Rides is a free on-demand transit service for the northwest Sunnyvale area. It is part of a two-year pilot program to enhance public transportation in the greater Peery Park area. The shuttle service began operating in February 2025.
VTA and the City of Sunnyvale are sponsoring the pilot with grant funding from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and Community Benefit Funds collected from development projects in the Peery Park Specific Plan area.
Express Bus Partnership
VTA reached out to nearly 400 Silicon Valley companies who may have employees who rely on Express bus service. By funding approximately 25% of the fully-allocated cost of the route, private companies were invited to partner with VTA to not only save an Express bus route from discontinuation but also to influence the schedules and path of travel. The new partnership model gives companies the opportunity to sponsor one or more Express Bus routes, and offset the high cost of Express Bus operations.
SmartPass
VTA’s SmartPass provides annual calendar-year transit passes for institutions within Santa Clara County. It's a deeply-discounted pass, making it a low-cost benefit to participating organizations.
SmartPass is like an insurance plan – by paying for a large group of program participants, the per-participant costs are shared. All the group’s participants have an opportunity to use their SmartPass as often as they need or choose; whether they are daily VTA riders, use the service occasionally, or are completely new to public transit. Organizations will be able to provide program participants with a high-value benefit at a minimal cost.
Measure B
Santa Clara County voters have approved 2016 Measure B, a 30-year, half-cent countywide sales tax to enhance transit, highways, expressways and active transportation (bicycles, pedestrians, and Complete Streets). A countywide sales tax provides a local revenue source that can be leveraged to help obtain additional funds through regional, state and federal fund sources. The measure passed by nearly 72%, the highest level of support for any Santa Clara County transportation tax. Collection of the tax began on April 1, 2017.
Santa Clara County Cities with Transportation Demand Management Programs
Transportation Demand Management (TDM) is a set of strategies that aim to reduce traffic congestion and improve mobility by changing how, when, and why people travel. Instead of building more roads, TDM promotes options like carpooling, transit, biking, walking, and telecommuting. It also supports policies and programs that make these alternatives easier and more appealing. The goal is to use the transportation system more efficiently while reducing environmental impacts and improving quality of life.
Key elements of TDM include:
- Behavioral change strategies: Encouraging people to choose alternatives to driving alone through education, outreach, and incentives.
- Policy and program tools: Implementing flexible work hours, telework programs, parking pricing, and employer-based commuter benefits.
Supportive infrastructure and planning: Coordinating with land use planning, improving access to transit and bike facilities, and designing walkable communities.