This research study examined the factors that influence commuting behavior, the reaction of commuters to various strategies and techniques to encourage alternative commute modes, and the use of different programs by public agencies and businesses in Texas. This was accomplished through a state-of-the-art literature review; discussion groups with representatives from the public and private sectors in Dallas, Houston, and Austin; an evaluation of the Houston Employer Trip Reduction Plans; and surveys of bus riders, carpoolers, and motorists on HOV lanes and freeways in Dallas and Houston. The research results identify the strategies that appear most appropriate for further application in Texas and potential implementation techniques. The results indicate that voluntary efforts are favored over mandatory programs. Further, support was strongest for transit services and support facilities, ridesharing, employee incentives, and on-site amenities. Less support was voiced for pricing strategies, including congestion pricing, increasing parking rates, and raising the tax on gasoline.

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Report 153: Guidelines for Providing Access to Public Transportation Stations is intended to aid in the planning, developing, and improving of access to high capacity commuter rail, heavy rail, light rail, bus rapid transit, and ferry stations. The report includes guidelines for arranging and integrating various station design elements.

This report evaluates the operation of freeway high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes in Texas through calendar year 1996. As of the end of 1996, HOV lanes were in operation on the five following Houston freeways: 1) Katy Freeway (I-10W); 2) North Freeway (I-45N); 3) Northwest Freeway (U.S. 290); 4) Gulf Freeway (I-45S); and 5) Southwest Freeway (U.S. 59S). The only HOV facility in operation in Dallas as of the end of 1994 was on the East R.L. Thornton Freeway (I-30E). This research report provides an analysis of data related to the 1) operation of the HOV lanes; 2) operation of the freeway mainlanes; 3) combined HOV lane and freeway data; and 4) data relating to transit usage and operations. Both a "before" and "after" trendline analysis (where applicable) and a comparison to control freeways are used as a means of assessing the impacts of the HOV facilities

"The third edition Traveler Response to Transportation System Changes Handbook provides comprehensive information on travel demand effects of alternative urban transportation policies, operating approaches and systems, and built environment options, by building upon, expanding, and selectively replacing the earlier editions to provide a contemporary assessment of the experience and insights gained from the application and analysis of various system changes and alternatives. The focus is on aiding transportation, transit, and land use planners in their conduct of travel demand and related analyses, and to inform elected officials, administrators, operators, designers, and the general public as well. The Traveler Response to Transportation System Changes Handbook consists of the Chapter 1 introductory materials and 15 stand-alone published topic area chapters. Each topic area chapter provides traveler response findings including supportive information and interpretation, and also includes case studies and a bibliography consisting of the references utilized as sources. Please note that Chapters 4, 7, and 8 have been deferred for a future TCRP project effort. The Handbook findings derive primarily from reported results and analyses of real-world transportation system and policy applications and trials. Experimental or quasi-experimental empirical data have been the information source of choice. Other empirical data derivations and simple accounts of outcomes have been employed as necessary. Forecasts and other estimates derived from travel demand model applications and similar techniques have been used, but on a very selective basis; mostly for augmenting the empirical data where gaps exist, and for providing additional insights and context. TCRP Report 95: Traveler Response to Transportation System Changes Handbook will be of interest to transit, transportation, and land use planning practitioners; transportation engineers; land developers, employers, and school administrators; researchers and educators; and professionals across a broad spectrum of transportation and planning; metropolitan planning organizations; and local, state, and federal government agencies."--taken from publisher web site.

This study examines strategies employed to encourage and enhance transit use in Texas and throughout the country. Two reports document the results of this research. The first is "Design Guidelines to Enhance Pedestrian and Transit Interaction, " which presents a step[-by-step process for planning and designing transit facilities to enhance passenger convenience, comfort, and safety. The report presented here documents the second portion of the study which examined policies and programs supporting transit use. It includes a state-of-the-art literature review of the use and the experience with different techniques, a general discussion of the different approaches, and more detailed case studies of the strategies used in four metropolitan areas. The report identifies the policies and programs that appear most appropriate for further application in Texas. Finally, examples are provided of the gene ral approaches and implementation techniques that can be used by transit providers, municipalities, the Texas Department of Transportation, private business, and other groups to support increased transit use in the state.