During a recent government meeting, Teton County officials discussed the implementation of a Travel Demand Management (TDM) program aimed at reducing traffic congestion, particularly around local schools. The initiative seeks to encourage alternative transportation methods among students, teachers, and staff, with a goal of decreasing traffic on High School Road by 35% by June 2028.

Council members emphasized the importance of establishing interim goals to monitor progress, suggesting that annual or biannual traffic counts could help assess the effectiveness of the program. The TDM program is designed to provide tools and education to promote carpooling, biking, and public transit use, particularly for short trips—34% of which are under two miles, a distance deemed reasonable for walking or biking.

The meeting also addressed the need for improved collaboration with local developers to enhance access to biking and walking routes in new constructions. While traffic impact analyses are currently conducted for new developments, officials acknowledged that a more comprehensive approach to transportation management is necessary.

Public support for the TDM initiative was voiced by community members, including representatives from Friends of Pathways, who highlighted the potential for the program to change transportation habits and reduce reliance on single-occupancy vehicles.

In addition to the TDM discussion, the council held a public hearing on the master fee schedule, which included updates to various fees related to building permits and fire protection services. The proposed changes aim to correct previous omissions and align fees with new licensing requirements. The council plans to adopt the updated fee schedule in a subsequent meeting.

Overall, the meeting underscored a commitment to addressing traffic issues through strategic planning and community engagement, while also ensuring that local regulations and fees are up to date and reflective of current needs.