Creative Transportation Demand Management Reduces Traffic Impacts for Guests and Employees

Embassy Suites Springfield is located adjacent to I-95 on Louisdale Road. This LEED certified hotel is situated near the Franconia/Springfield Metro Station, 16 miles south of Washington, D.C.

W+A created and implemented Embassy Suites’ Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program, Crossroads Commuting, to assist employees and guests as they travel and commute to and from the hotel. We also helped implement many transportation amenities during construction of Embassy Suites. Our approach included the development of employee surveys to better understand commuting patterns and options.

TARGETED MARKETING AND PROMOTIONS

We used marketing and promotions in inventive ways to reach employees and guests about available transportation choices. Information racks in the lobby provided details on bus, Metro, biking, carpooling, and carshare services. On-site ride-matching was offered to create carpools and vanpools. During construction, W+A assisted with creating preferred carpool and vanpool parking spaces, as well as bike rack installation.

Guests were encouraged to remain on-site while staying at Embassy Suites with teleworking and multiple board rooms complete with communications amenities and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Plus, a complimentary shuttle service took guests and employees to and from the Franconia/Springfield Metro station 3.5 miles away.

PROGRAM SURVEYS, MONITORING, AND EVALUATION

W+A hosted a relocation survey for new employees to encourage them to find alternative modes of transportation to and from Embassy Suites. Employees who were new to the area were individually targeted with information regarding local bus routes, Metro, Embassy Suites shuttle, 495 express lanes, and more.

PROJECT AWARDS

Embassy Suites Springfield became a LEED certified hotel with certification assistance from W+A. We also helped them achieve membership to the Transportation Associates of Greater Springfield (TAGS), a public-private association that plays a main role in transportation improvement in Springfield.