Virginia DOT Bound by New Law to Study Transportation Demand Management

A new requirement for the Virginia Department of Transportation took effect on July 1. The state's transportation planners and engineers now must study Transportation Demand Management as an approach to congestion management.

2 minute read

September 9, 2020, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Interstate 664 Virginia

Khairil Azhar Junos / Shutterstock

The "Interstate 64-664 Corridor Improvement Study" recently released by the Virginia Department of Transportation study puts new priority on transportation demand management, safety, and increases to rail and transit service, according to an article by Wyatt Gordon. 

The "new Virginia Department of Transportation  study of the 320-mile long portion of Interstates 64 and 664 which it manages could prove a first test of a little noticed provision in Gov. Ralph Northam’s transportation omnibus bill that took effect on July 1," reports Gordon. 

"Whereas past transportation officials have focused on congestion as an engineering problem — and consequently deployed road widening as their sole solution, a gradual cultural shift within VDOT, strengthened by the governor’s omnibus, has emphasized the importance of transportation demand management," explains Gordon, who provides a more detailed description of TDM in the source article. 

Gordon also adds more about the potential of TDM's reliance on data for decision making to potentially shift the direction of VDOT's planning processes now and in the future. Additional safety benefits, in addition to congestion mitigation, are expected as a result of the new approach. The I-64 and I-664 study, for instance, is intended to identify the least safe stretched of the interstates. 

Still, the state is planning major investments on the two highways, according to Gordon. "A network of roughly 45 miles of express lanes around Hampton Roads — similar to the HOT lanes found across Northern Virginia — appears to be a done deal," reports Gordon.

Tuesday, September 8, 2020 in The Virginia Mercury

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

July 4 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

July 4 - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business