Trying something new - here's my attempt to turn my #CommuteCon2020 presentation into a thread. 1/n

So, we all are at #CommuteCon2020 because we want to change travel behavior (help people drive less). Let's say you're designing an intervention (to use public health term). How to make that as effective as possible? 2/n

I assert: TDM professionals should pay way more attention to the *timing* of interventions. 3/n

Fresh Start Effect: we think on NYE, we can shed our laziness & become our best selves. Behavioral science tells us that people are more likely to act after a temporal landmark that makes them feel they have a new beginning. 4/n

Best-studied fresh start for transportation: moving homes is a great chance to intervene for transit [Kirkman 2019; Bamberg 2006; Verplanken, Walker, Davis, & Jurasek 2008; Thøgersen 2012] 5/n

Also well established: disruptions to commute routes leads to more openness to mode shift [Fujii et al 2001; VanWynsberghe et al 2011; Jones et al; Friedman et al 2001] #CommuteCon2020 6/n

Not specific to transpo (yet! let's do the research), but you can create a symbolic fresh start w/ birthdays, first of week/month etc, seasonal transitions, job changes [Dai, Milkman, & Riis 2014] #CommuteCon2020 7/n

Less proven but promising idea: intervene right after someone tries a new commute mode (e.g. Bike to Work Day, Try Transit Day) - people will be more open to continuing. #CommuteCon2020 8/n

Important caveat: evidence-based timing nudges can help amp up the ROI of a TDM program, but not if your policies and pricing are at odds with your goals. TL;DR: don't waste your time on nudges if your parking is free! #CommuteCon2020 9/n

So, let's put these ideas to work - BUT ALSO let's be sure to evaluate properly so we can add to the body of evidence out there and better understand how these ideas translate to the transportation context. #CommuteCon2020 10/n