Transportation Management Programs (TMP)

General Information

A Transportation Management Program (TMP) is a program that a property manager provides to reduce the “drive-alone” commutes of tenants and employees. These programs frequently are required by the City as a condition of approval of large buildings and developments to reduce the potential traffic and parking impacts on surrounding neighborhoods. A typical TMP consists of goals (such as no more than a certain percentage of trips made by single-occupant vehicles), accompanied by a series of program elements intended to help meet the goals. Examples of program elements include the installation of commuter information centers to display information about alternatives to driving alone to work, on-site bicycle storage and shower facilities, distribution of commuter information packets, and charging market-rate prices for garage parking. Building representatives are required to conduct surveys of tenants and provide regular reports to the City to assess progress in implementing program elements and achieving TMP goals.

For more detailed information on TMPs, please contact Cristina Van Valkenburgh, Seattle Department of Transportation, 206-684-3649, cristina.vanvalkenburgh@seattle.gov or John Shaw, Seattle Department of Planning & Development, 206-684-5837 john.shaw@seattle.gov . The Department of Planning & Development’s Rule on TMPs identifies the ordinance authority and establishes the content, procedures, and reporting requirements of TMPs. You can find a copy of the rule on the Department of Planning & Development’s (DPD) web page http://web1.seattle.gov/dpd/dirrulesviewer/Rule.aspx?id=19-2008

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. 1. Why does the City require TMPs, and do other cities require them?

Answer: Consistent with their State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) authority, cities require property owners to implement transportation management programs in order to reduce the effects on traffic and parking created by the development and operation of a property on its neighbors. Locally, the cities of Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond and Seattle require TMPs of larger buildings or developments.

Q. 2. How many TMPs exist in Seattle?

Answer: The Department of Planning and Development and the Seattle Department of Transportation share responsibility for working with the developer to create an effective TMPs.

Q.3 How is a TMP created and monitored by the City?

Answer: The Department of Planning and Development and the Seattle Department of Transportation share responsibility for working with the developer to create an effective TMP.

Q.4. How well do TMPs work to reduce traffic and parking impacts?

Answer: While it is difficult to isolate and measure the effects that these programs have by themselves on congestion and parking, data show buildings with TMPs have lower drive alone rates than those without them. TMPs support taxpayers’ investments in public transportation, contribute to mobility management in the region, and reduce demand for on-street-parking in neighborhoods. For the building owner and property manager, the TMP may include amenities, such as subsidized transit, which tenants value. Also, if they can reduce parking demand, they may be able to delay expensive capital investments and lower operating costs.

Q5. What is the difference between Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) Law and TMP requirements?

Answer: The main difference is that the CTR law applies to larger employers, while TMPs apply to buildings. Both are intended to reduce drive-alone commute trips. The elements of a company’s CTR plan and a building’s TMP may be similar. Both might offer subsidized transit passes, for example. Sometimes the property owner and employer might be the same entity and have to meet the requirements of both laws.