Carlsbad presents 2025 employer survey results showing mixed TDM progress and lower remote work rates
May 04, 2026 | Carlsbad, San Diego County, California
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City staff and a consultant presented the 2025 employer survey results for Carlsbad's Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program, showing progress at some employers but a return‑to‑office trend that reduces some of the earlier pandemic gains.
Nick Gorman, associate engineer, introduced the presentation and said the TDM ordinance applies to nonresidential developments that generate at least 110 employee daily trips and requires site‑specific TDM plans. Consultant Aaron Gall (Alta Planning Group) presented survey findings: 48 of 53 required baseline surveys have been completed; the weighted sustainable mode‑share goal is 23.3%; and among the 31 employers that completed a first follow‑up, about 61% improved their sustainable mode share and 61% exceeded their goals. Gall said the weighted sustainable mode share among follow‑up respondents is roughly 33%.
Gall and staff noted the data show a larger share of employees driving alone than other sustainable modes, and they recommended focusing on high‑impact strategies such as carpool incentives and employer clustering to reduce vehicle miles traveled. The presentation included an average daily vehicle‑miles‑traveled figure of about 20 miles (round trip) per employee and noted changes since 2023; staff said the 2023 work‑from‑home share for surveyed employers was approximately 35.2% and that number has declined.
Staff highlighted tools used to support employers, including the Carlsbad Commuter program and employer outreach, and discussed next steps such as continued monitoring, targeted employer assistance, and coordination with regional agencies (NCTD and SANDAG) on flexible fleet and microtransit options.
Commissioners asked about shared amenities, the extent to which employers collaborate on shared services, possible city contributions to infrastructure or services and how to interpret employer‑level differences in vehicle‑miles traveled. Gall and staff said some employers provide shared incentives and amenities; staff pointed to ongoing citywide TDM planning and city‑owned pilot sites under review. Staff offered to provide cost details for the city's Carlsbad Commuter contract after the meeting.
No formal action was required; staff will continue annual reporting and monitoring under the TSMC work plan.
Nick Gorman, associate engineer, introduced the presentation and said the TDM ordinance applies to nonresidential developments that generate at least 110 employee daily trips and requires site‑specific TDM plans. Consultant Aaron Gall (Alta Planning Group) presented survey findings: 48 of 53 required baseline surveys have been completed; the weighted sustainable mode‑share goal is 23.3%; and among the 31 employers that completed a first follow‑up, about 61% improved their sustainable mode share and 61% exceeded their goals. Gall said the weighted sustainable mode share among follow‑up respondents is roughly 33%.
Gall and staff noted the data show a larger share of employees driving alone than other sustainable modes, and they recommended focusing on high‑impact strategies such as carpool incentives and employer clustering to reduce vehicle miles traveled. The presentation included an average daily vehicle‑miles‑traveled figure of about 20 miles (round trip) per employee and noted changes since 2023; staff said the 2023 work‑from‑home share for surveyed employers was approximately 35.2% and that number has declined.
Staff highlighted tools used to support employers, including the Carlsbad Commuter program and employer outreach, and discussed next steps such as continued monitoring, targeted employer assistance, and coordination with regional agencies (NCTD and SANDAG) on flexible fleet and microtransit options.
Commissioners asked about shared amenities, the extent to which employers collaborate on shared services, possible city contributions to infrastructure or services and how to interpret employer‑level differences in vehicle‑miles traveled. Gall and staff said some employers provide shared incentives and amenities; staff pointed to ongoing citywide TDM planning and city‑owned pilot sites under review. Staff offered to provide cost details for the city's Carlsbad Commuter contract after the meeting.
No formal action was required; staff will continue annual reporting and monitoring under the TSMC work plan.
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