Roadmap for conducting a Transportation Management Association (TMA) feasibility study

From tackling first- and last-mile connectivity to reducing congestion and improving access to employment, Transportation Management Associations (TMAs) offer tailored solutions that promote economic sustainability and equity. TMAs bring together public and private stakeholders to implement transportation demand management (TDM) strategies, fostering innovative mobility solutions.

Below is a practical roadmap for Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), counties, and other stakeholders to conduct a TMA feasibility study. This guide is intended to empower state and local organizations to evaluate, plan, and implement TMAs that address regional transportation needs.

Understanding the need for a TMA

A TMA is an organization that coordinates public and private efforts to improve mobility within a defined area. These associations often serve as a hub for TDM strategies—such as active transportation promotion, carpooling programs, employer-sponsored shuttles, and first- and last-mile solutions—designed to reduce single-occupancy vehicle trips and alleviate congestion.

Key challenges TMAs aim to address include:

• Access to employment opportunities: Low-income and underserved populations often lack reliable and affordable transportation options.
• Limited first- and last-mile connectivity: Many transit systems fail to bridge the gap between transit stops and employment hubs.
• Traffic congestion: High vehicle dependency in urban (and some suburban) areas exacerbates peak-hour delays.

When a region is exploring the need for a TMA, the first step should always be a TMA feasibility study. The feasibility study should aim to:

• Identify the transportation gaps for the target area or confirm that the perceived need exists.
• Identify potential services that can fill those gaps and achieve the desired transportation goals.
• Assess the viability of various TMA models that can offer those potential services.
• Develop actionable recommendations for TMA formation.

Blueprint for a TMA feasibility study

Conducting a TMA feasibility study involves structured, multi-phase planning. The following components are critical to a successful study:

Stakeholder engagement

Stakeholder engagement forms the backbone of any feasibility study, providing insights into regional mobility challenges. Unlike general public outreach, this process brings together representatives from public, private, and nonprofit sectors who understand the region’s mobility landscape. Strategies to include stakeholders can include:

• Forming a core stakeholder committee that is dedicated to participating in the entire feasibility study process and provide input on the analysis and findings. This group’s goal can be to foster consensus on priorities and potential solutions through collaborative meetings.
• Leveraging surveys and focus groups to identify data resources, validate findings, and gain nuanced perspectives.

Tip: Identify a wide range of stakeholder representatives from various industries, depending on the demographics of the region: education, manufacturing, mobility advocacy groups, healthcare, etc.

Existing conditions inventory

A thorough assessment of existing and planned transportation services provides a foundation for identifying gaps in accessibility, frequency, and coverage. This process ensures that the feasibility study builds on available resources rather than duplicating efforts. An analysis of existing and planned transportation services highlights gaps in frequency, accessibility, and coverage. To conduct this analysis, consider the following strategies:

• Utilize available data, such as demographic analyses and transit usage patterns, to inform your study.
• Collect transportation data from transit agencies, MPOs, and local governments, including service maps, ridership reports, and land use plans, to understand the mobility landscape.
• Analyze commuter patterns using census data, origin-destination studies, and employer surveys to identify demand for services and key employment centers.

Tip: Collaborate with transportation agencies, planning departments, and economic development organizations to ensure a comprehensive and accurate dataset.

Needs assessment

A comprehensive needs assessment identifies mobility challenges and evaluates potential solutions to improve transportation access and efficiency. This process ensures that proposed TMA models address gaps in service while balancing feasibility and sustainability. A thorough needs assessment would include the following tactics:

• Identify mobility challenges by analyzing barriers such as limited transit access, high commuting costs, and congestion in employment centers.
• Evaluate transportation demand through workforce surveys, employer outreach, and ridership trends to determine where TMA services would have the greatest impact.
• Address funding challenges by exploring potential funding sources such as CMAQ grants, local government contributions, and membership fees. Additionally, examples of fee structures and revenue models can provide guidance on financial sustainability.
• Identify potential gaps for updated region-specific guidance, which integrates modern mobility solutions—such as microtransit and shared mobility services—to enhance the relevance and effectiveness of TMAs.

Tip: Use data-driven analysis to align short-term mobility improvements with long-term sustainable transportation goals.

The road ahead

Transportation Management Associations offer transformative potential for addressing regional mobility challenges and advancing equitable transportation solutions. By following the roadmap outlined here, MPOs, counties, and other stakeholders can pave the way for effective, sustainable, and impactful feasibility studies.

As regional mobility evolves, TMAs will play an increasingly vital role in creating connected, resilient communities.