VDOT Partners with Traffic Demand Firm to Transform Commuting

Dec 2, 2024 | Public-Private Partnerships

In March 2024, VDOT, in consultation with DRPT, executed a contract with Metropia, Inc. to develop and deploy the DI services as part of the RM3P initiative. This important milestone follows months of exploration exercises and coordination with stakeholders and agencies through the kick-off meeting, regional workshops, steering and advisory committee meetings, Marketing Workgroup meetings, ongoing solution elaboration and deep dive sessions, as well as focus group sessions with the agency representatives and the public. These ongoing activities have allowed the team to organize and structure the DI initiative, solicit stakeholder guidance and support, work through key technical and logistical issues, share status updates on pivotal project milestones, develop the branding and logo for the new mobile app, and establish free-flowing communications across all parties.

DI, the third element of RM3P to move forward with deployment, will target those commuters who are willing and able to safely change their travel patterns and practices in ways that improve the efficiency of the transportation network as a whole and benefit all commuters traveling from, to, or through Northern Virginia. The goals of DI are to reduce adverse impacts on the transportation network, decrease the usage of single-occupancy vehicles, achieve long-term traveler behavior changes, and offer up a variety of incentives that adapt to real-time conditions and user preferences.

The DI team is in the process of developing and launching a mobile app, GoMyWayVA, aimed at raising awareness of commuting options, mitigating congestion, and improving air quality. The inter-modal trip planning feature will show users complete journey options from point A to point B. DI will take traditional Transportation Demand Management (TDM) programs to a new level, meeting Virginia drivers where they are and offering a range of incentivization options. This innovative project will promote behavioral change using public- and private-sector rewards, all while providing helpful insights into driver behavior that agencies can leverage to further improve the Northern Virginia transportation network.

 The RM3P Management Team is grateful to its many regional and local partners, including the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA), for enabling us to reach this milestone. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the members and technical advisors of the DI Steering Committee, Program Element Guidance Team, Procurement Panel, Marketing Workgroup, Advisory Committee, and others who have provided ongoing direction and helped solidify the vision for DI. We look forward to continuing to engage with our partners and supporters as we advance this program element.