Since supporting the re-envisioning of the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT)’s Commuter Choice Maryland Program, their statewide transportation demand management (TDM) initiative, in 2019, Foursquare ITP has continued to guide the program’s evolution, deliver services, and serve as a trusted advisor. Originally, the program lacked a cohesive vision, ongoing support, and tools to fulfill its role in TDM across the state. While the more populous counties and cities in the state had active TDM efforts, smaller jurisdictions relied on MDOT for TDM services and needed a more consistent approach, processes, staff, informational materials, and tools to measure the program’s success.
Foursquare ITP created the cohesive statewide employer services program that we now help implement through ongoing, long-term support. The program includes a shared, statewide customer relationship database, consistent workflows for providing employer assistance, and a wealth of information in a variety of formats for engaging employers and commuters. There is also a data dashboard that allows Commuter Choice Maryland leadership to track program performance and impacts.
The Commuter Choice program includes a statewide Employer Partner Program that tracks employer participation in commuter benefits and provides recognition to participating employers. It also provides services for its employer partners through personal interactions; ongoing trainings, such as webinars on building a bike and walk friendly workplace, office relocations, telework, and implementing commuter benefits; case studies of successful employer TDM programs; and toolkits and other graphically oriented collateral for employers and commuters on topics ranging from vanpools, to commuter benefits, to telework, and more. Foursquare ITP has also provided training to TDM specialists working on Maryland’s local TDM programs, including best practices in employer sales and behavior change. Beyond employer services, Foursquare ITP has created graphics and infographics, developed social media content, website materials, presentations, and a broad range of collateral materials for commuters in both English and Spanish. In 2025:
- The number of employers engaged in the Employer Partner Program grew by over 80 percent.
- 14,975 people were helped to shift to a clean commute.
- 1,827 commuters accessed incentives through the Commuter Cash Program.
- 19 carpool groups registered for the Ride Together Rewards Carpool Incentive Program.
- 63 vanpools received the Ride Together Rewards Vanpool Incentive Program.
- 221 new riders received the Ride Together Reward Transit Incentive.
- 584 commuters accessed Guaranteed Rides Home when emergencies arose.
- 45 events staffed, including Bike to Work Day, Car Free Day, the Maryland State Fair and other fairs, meetings, public events, and conferences across the State.
Solutions and Outcomes
- Provide TDM expertise, research, and guidance.
- Maintain and evolve the program’s website to meet the growing program services.
- Plan and host quarterly webinars.
- Draft Spotlight articles that showcase local TDM coordinators and partner employers.
- Supported development and launch of new Rider Rewards Incentives in response to the Key Bridge collapse.
- Built a data dashboard to track and showcase program efforts.
- Developed process guides and workflows to document and streamline program processes.