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KING OF PRUSSIA — More than 40 organizations from across the Greater Philadelphia region were recognized Monday for being advocates for Transportation Demand Management (TDM) strategies. The organizations were recognized during GVF’s 10th annual TDM Advocates Breakfast.
Through GVF's TDM Advocate's program, organizations are recognized for their commitment to implementing programs that promote commuting alternatives that alleviate congestion for their employees and community.
GVF is a non-profit regional transportation association that partners with local private and public sectors to combat these challenges through transportation demand management strategies.
Examples of the strategies include using different modes like a bus, biking or walking, to provide people with alternatives to driving alone.
“GVF believes TDM needs to be a priority with employers, employees, townships and communities,” a news release about the event stated.
GVF works with its partners to develop programs and incorporate TDM initiatives into their work environment, including installing and maintaining bike racks, implementing flextime or telework programs, or ensuring an office has access to a bus stop or train station.
“If we continue to utilize and expand TDM tools in our region we will continue to improve our environment, economy and our collective futures." Rob Henry, GVF executive director, said in a statement.
Keynote speaker for the event was Justin Schor, principal, Wells + Associates, a transportation consulting firm. Schor, who recently published a book “Building a Multimodal Future,” spoke about how planning land uses and transportation, together with transportation demand management policies create safer, more walkable environments, according to the release.
He told the group that transportation demand management has been considered a “band aid” to fix issues.
“A far more effective method of addressing congestion issues is integrating TDM into land use policies, before issues with congestion arise,” the release stated.
GVF’s TDM Advocates program recognizes organizations at several levels: Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze.
“When recipients complete the application they answer questions within different categories. Depending on how many initiatives they have achieved in each category determines if they move forward to the next category,” according to Stacey Weiss, spokeswoman for GVF.
In the Bronze category for example, there are six initiatives that must be completed to move up to the Silver category, according to Weiss. Each level has initiatives to complete before moving up, she added.
"This year marked our 10th anniversary of recognizing TDM Advocates and the highest number of recipients to date. It’s inspiring to see the number of advocates continue to rise and to see so many achieve the highest level,” Henry added.
GVF’s TDM Advocates include:
Diamond Level:
Cheltenham Township; Chester County; DVRPC; GlaxoSmithKline; Jacobs; Lower Merion Township; Montgomery County; Montgomery County Community College; Saint Joseph’s University; SEPTA; Traffic Planning & Design, Inc.; Tredyffrin Township; Upper Merion Township; Urban Engineers; Vanguard
Platinum Level:
American Heritage Federal Credit Union; Borough of Phoenixville; Commute with Enterprise; Fitzgerald and Halliday Inc.; Limerick Township; McMahon Associates, Inc.; Pennoni; RK&K; Suburban Transit Network, Inc.; Whitpain Township
Gold Level:
Bikesport; Borough of Pottstown; Brandywine Realty Trust ; Bryn Mawr Hospital, Main Line Health; Crowne Plaza & Fairfield Inn - King of Prussia; King of Prussia Mall; Lankenau Medical Center Main Line Health; Pottstown Area Rapid Transit; Qlik; Radial Inc.
Silver Level:
Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, Main Line Health; Paoli Hospital, Main Line Health; Riddle Hospital, Main Line Health; Valley Forge National Historical Park; Wells+Associates
Bronze Level:
Valley Forge Park Alliance
More than 170,000 employees are represented through the recipients; while nearly 265,000 residents are represented by the municipal recipients, according to statistics provided by GVF, while nearly 1.35 million residents are represented between Chester and Montgomery counties.