building a tactical revitalization plan for downtown albany

URBANTRANS FIRM OVERVIEW
Our Mission: “To create sustainable environments by developing
and advancing innovative transportation solutions.”
UrbanTrans North America (UrbanTrans) is a woman operated and owned urban and transportation
planning and social marketing firm with North American offices in Atlanta, Toronto, Denver, and
Washington, D.C. UrbanTrans specializes in innovative transportation solutions, with a focus on multimodal
transportation planning, demand management programs, market-based policies, stakeholder
outreach and strategic planning. Additionally, UrbanTrans develops and implements marketing plans
and campaigns specifically designed to alter travel behavior. Our audience-focused marketing strategies
produce solutions designed to create sustainable travel behavior that improves our environment and
communities. Our clients include public agencies, commercial developers, special-purpose districts,
metropolitan planning organizations, employers and transportation management associations (TMAs).
UrbanTrans has a reputation for developing effective, non-traditional transportation solutions that
maximize the performance of existing transportation investments and enhance travel options. Our
philosophy is that increasing the availability and viability of convenient travel choices for all travelers
benefits communities, employers, developers and citizens by reducing transportation infrastructure
spending, alleviating congestion and improving air quality. Developing a balanced, multi-modal
transportation system also supports more efficient and flexible land use alternatives for both public
agencies and commercial developers.
Project:
Client:
Downtown Syracuse TDM and Parking Management Study
Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Commission; Syracuse, New York, USA
Downtown Syracuse identified a likely future shortage in parking based on anticipated development
within the city’s core. In addition, certain geographic areas within the core already suffered from parking
shortages. UrbanTrans was hired to lead the effort to identify how best to manage the parking and
transportation needs of residents, employees and visitors in downtown Syracuse through the
application of TDM strategies, including, but not limited to, the formation of a TMA.
As part of the study process UrbanTrans identified and reviewed existing transportation services;
conducted one-on-one interviews with employers, property managers, developers and transportation
agencies in the area; designed, managed and evaluated surveys of area employers and employees;
analyzed area-wide transportation and development trends; reviewed transportation best practices in
similar communities; and conducted multiple stakeholder meetings.
The study determined that many transportation services existed but were not being coordinated or
effectively marketed to area travelers. While the study identified the need for transportation demand
management services, it also found that a TMA was not likely to be effective. A transportation
stakeholders’ organization was recommended to encourage better coordination of transportation
services and to advocate for infrastructure and service improvements. Recommendations were also
made to improve bicycle parking, develop a guaranteed ride home service, develop a Website to
consolidate transportation information, and conduct specialized marketing campaigns and challenges.
Additional strategies were recommended with the long-term goal of reducing parking demand by 200
spaces.