Thank you for participating in the Plan development process!
The Final Destination UMED's TDM Plan & Toolkit are now available!
Thank you for taking the opportunity to review and comment on the Public Draft of the Destination UMED TDM Plan & Strategy Toolkit. The TDM Plan has been updated based on comments received and summarizes the study purpose, key findings, and recommended strategies for the UMED District. The Strategy Toolkit explain the recommended strategies, providing detail on key actions and proven examples from other places.
The AMATS Technical Advisory Committee and Policy Committee will review the pre-final documents in September. After TAC and PC review and approval, the TDM Plan and Toolkit will be finalized.
What is Destination UMED?
Destination UMED is a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) study that will explore projects, policies, and programs to reduce traffic congestion, improve mobility choices, enhance equitable access to district destinations, and support the next decade of UMED growth and economic development.
Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions (AMATS) is managing the study in collaboration with district stakeholders. An advisory committee, representing a wide cross-section of UMED stakeholders, will provide guidance and input throughout the study.
Why is Destination UMED being done?
As home to some of the biggest institutions in Anchorage, UMED provides a robust mix of employment, medical, housing, education, retail, and recreational opportunities. It is a crucial regional hub that continues to evolve from its unique past while it looks to future growth and opportunity.
The 2016 UMED District Plan recognized that to reach its vision in a sustainable way, UMED must take proactive steps to improve access to the district, reduce vehicle trips, and mitigate traffic congestion. A priority recommendation of the 2016 UMED Plan was to fund a transportation demand management study (TDM) to "...determine options for reducing single-occupant vehicle travel into the District."
Destination UMED is the implementation of this priority recommendation from the UMED community.
What is Transportation Demand Management (TDM)?
The primary goal of TDM is to provide more transportation options, give people choices to get where they need to go, and make it possible to reduce single-occupancy vehicle trips over time.
TDM includes a combination of transportation services and amenities, parking management, multimodal subsidies, and education to help people walk, bike, take transit, and share rides when they travel to and from UMED.
Click here to learn more about TDM 101 & Best Practices.
Other communities who have invested in TDM and other transportation options have been able to:
What is the Study Area?
The UMED area is bound by Lake Otis Parkway, Baxter Road, East Northern Lights Boulevard and East Tudor Road.
Schedule & Community Involvement
The study began in April 2022 and is to be completed over approximately 14 months. There are several key milestones for public input.
Community Workshop #1
Thursday, October 6, 2022 at 5:30 - 7:30 pm at the UAA/APU Consortium Library
The workshop reviewed key findings to date; shared best practices for District-based transportation programs, policies, and infrastructure; and collected feedback on potential strategies applicable to UMED.
Community Workshop #2
Wednesday, April 26, 2023 via Zoom
The workshop shared project updates and presented draft strategies for improving travel in UMED for input.
Community Open House #3
Tuesday, June 13th from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at the MOA Permit Center (4700 Elmore)
The Draft UMED Transportation Demand Management Study, including recommendations and prioritized implementation strategies, were available for review and feedback.
Destination UMED is guided by an advisory committee and will seek input from a diverse set of stakeholders to build community consensus and secure buy-in. Opportunities for community input included:
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Travel Survey (complete!)
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Stakeholder Interviews
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Community Workshops
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Public Comment on Project Documents