Transit-oriented development (TOD) is an urban planning concept which prioritizes living, commercial and leisure space within walking distance of public transport stations. Pioneered by Peter Calthorpe’s work, TOD encourages dense compact urban forms while at the same time accommodating public transportation use.
TOD neighborhoods tend to experience higher rates of walking and transit commute mode share, although self-selection may account for some of this shift. Even so, its influence remains considerable on mode choice decisions.
Walkable Communities
Walkable communities give residents an opportunity to live, work, play and learn together while reducing automobile travel needs. This can be accomplished by designing neighborhoods around public transit stations and designing streets around people rather than cars.
Zoning policies play a vital role in improving walkability by shaping density and the mix of uses in urban environments. Zoning typically promotes mixed-use neighborhoods where residential and commercial spaces are located within walking distance from each other and accessible via street networks.
Communities looking to become truly walkable must also feature an effective public transit system that is easily accessible to all residents, so they can travel outside their neighborhood for work, visits with friends and cultural events without adding to traffic congestion. An ideal public transportation system would offer multiple forms of public transport – including high-quality bus service, rail access and circulating buses – providing flexibility for those wishing to avoid driving while helping communities capitalize on economic development resulting from transit-oriented development.
Environmental Benefits
People often prefer living in walkable communities that make it easy to navigate without needing their car. Transit-oriented development (TOD) communities promote sustainability by concentrating development around efficient public transit services and supporting the economy by creating jobs nearby transit stations.
TOD can increase housing affordability by decreasing transportation costs for lower income residents and nondrivers in general. While TOD may introduce some additional public costs related to nonmotorized transportation facilities and services, they often compare favorably with current costs associated with automobile infrastructure (roads, parking etc).
Successful TOD increases mode share by creating high-quality, attractive walking environments featuring residential choices, jobs, shops and services within easy walking distance of transit stations. TOD neighborhoods typically feature smaller block sizes with buildings and streets designed specifically to be pedestrian-friendly; studies indicate that TOD areas typically generate half as many auto trips than conventional, automobile-oriented developments.
Economic Benefits
TOD neighborhoods provide businesses and residents with easy and cost-effective access to jobs, education, healthcare and other essential services without being dependent on automobiles for transportation. This is particularly advantageous for low-income households that must depend on public transit for work-related transportation needs or basic necessities such as groceries.
Well-designed TODs increase sustainable transit ridership, revitalize communities, enhance regional quality of life and strengthen economic competitiveness by creating an interdependent relationship between dense urban form and public transport use – thus encouraging residents to forgo private vehicle ownership – and residents who utilize these public modes.
Traffic casualty rates tend to be 50-75% lower in TOD areas due to reduced automobile travel and an abundance of high-risk drivers (youths, those impaired by alcohol or drugs, those living with mental health conditions). Furthermore, TOD areas generally enjoy greater access to jobs, services, housing options through affordable transit options which protect existing residents without dislocating existing residents and have higher property values compared with comparable non-TOD areas.
Social Benefits
TOD improves communities where it’s implemented by improving access to jobs, services and housing. Furthermore, TOD enhances quality of life in neighborhoods through increased civic involvement, social interaction and vibrant public spaces.
TOD promotes urban densification, helping reduce automobile transport costs while simultaneously helping to limit sprawl and promote more sustainable use of land, as well as lessen air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
TOD can offer more affordable housing options due to its concentration near public transit, while only needing modest increases in public spending on nonmotorized transportation (typically less than expenditures on automobile infrastructure such as roads, parking and traffic management). TOD also helps improve housing affordability and accessibility; promote physical activity and decrease instances of chronic diseases while supporting Local Economic Development by raising property values and expanding business revenues.