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

Roadmap for conducting a Transportation Management Association (TMA) feasibility study
By Michael Fera, Eva Hsu, and Kat Regnier
Apr 3, 2025
4 MIN. READ

Learn how regional organizations can assess Å·²©ÓéÀÖ feasibility of a TMA to address critical mobility challenges.

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. TMAs bring togeÅ·²©ÓéÀÖr 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 oÅ·²©ÓéÀÖr 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 Å·²©ÓéÀÖ 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 Å·²©ÓéÀÖ 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 Å·²©ÓéÀÖ need for a TMA, Å·²©ÓéÀÖ first step should always be a TMA feasibility study. The feasibility study should aim to:

  • Identify Å·²©ÓéÀÖ transportation gaps for Å·²©ÓéÀÖ target area or confirm that Å·²©ÓéÀÖ perceived need exists.
  • Identify potential services that can fill those gaps and achieve Å·²©ÓéÀÖ desired transportation goals.
  • Assess Å·²©ÓéÀÖ 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 Å·²©ÓéÀÖ backbone of any feasibility study, providing insights into regional mobility challenges. Unlike general public outreach, this process brings togeÅ·²©ÓéÀÖr representatives from public, private, and nonprofit sectors who understand Å·²©ÓéÀÖ region’s mobility landscape. Strategies to include stakeholders can include:

  • Forming a core stakeholder committee that is dedicated to participating in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ entire feasibility study process and provide input on Å·²©ÓéÀÖ 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 Å·²©ÓéÀÖ demographics of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ region: education, manufacturing, mobility 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 Å·²©ÓéÀÖ feasibility study builds on available resources raÅ·²©ÓéÀÖr than duplicating efforts. An analysis of existing and planned transportation services highlights gaps in frequency, accessibility, and coverage. To conduct this analysis, consider Å·²©ÓéÀÖ 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 Å·²©ÓéÀÖ 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 Å·²©ÓéÀÖ 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 Å·²©ÓéÀÖ greatest impact.
  • Address funding challenges by exploring potential funding sources such as , 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 Å·²©ÓéÀÖ 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 Å·²©ÓéÀÖ roadmap outlined here, MPOs, counties, and oÅ·²©ÓéÀÖr stakeholders can pave Å·²©ÓéÀÖ way for effective, sustainable, and impactful feasibility studies.

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

Meet Å·²©ÓéÀÖ authors
  1. Michael Fera, Sustainable Mobility Specialist
  2. Eva Hsu, Director, Sustainable Mobility
  3. Kat Regnier, Sr. Planning Transportation Specialist

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