TOD (Transit-oriented Development) refers to development that maximizes the amount of residential and commercial space within walking distance from transit stations. TOD projects tend to focus within 1/4 to 1/2 miles from transit hubs, providing communities with an excellent way to prioritize public transit use.
Many cities have taken steps to promote TOD by writing TOD policies into their zoning codes, with the goal of decreasing automobile dependency while encouraging environmentally friendly practices.
Economic Benefits
TODs provide communities with a solution for increasing transit ridership while revitalizing neighborhoods and strengthening regional economic competitiveness. A well-designed TOD creates a symbiotic relationship between dense development and public transportation systems.
TOD offers several additional advantages, such as cutting energy consumption and emissions by up to 25 percent and air pollution emissions by 40 percent respectively. According to research, residents who reside and work near transit tend to utilize public transit four to 10 times more frequently than those living and working in suburban developments.
densely developed neighborhoods near transit can be an asset to local businesses and can generate tax revenue, while TOD can lower infrastructure costs by eliminating the need for roads, parking lots and driveways. Furthermore, TOD encourages a more diverse workforce and attracts young professionals – helping reduce racial and economic inequality caused by sprawling communities that rely heavily on car ownership.
Environmental Benefits
TOD can bring life and vitality back into communities by placing housing, businesses and services within walkable environments that were not there before – creating vibrant walkable environments which can reduce environmental impacts of sprawl. By encouraging higher densities with public transit systems that support them – as well as offering multiple opportunities for work, play and living within close proximity – TOD also promotes lower costs while simultaneously increasing economic opportunity for its residents.
TOD neighborhoods consist of walkable, mixed-use communities designed around high capacity transit stations with quality walking environments connecting them. According to the Brookings Institute, when people live close to multiple activity centers they spend less time driving their own cars – saving both fuel and maintenance costs as well as carbon emissions, congestion, and improving their health in return.
TODs offer a viable strategy to manage growth and enhance mobility while strengthening regional competitiveness and economic development, as well as revitalizing older areas with outdated infrastructure. WSP is involved with several TOD projects across the country – such as revitalizing an old rail yard in Charlotte.
Social Benefits
Many city governments advocate transit-oriented development to reduce traffic congestion, protect natural areas, enhance public health and increase housing options. Their policies and strategic plans typically prioritize dense urban developments that are walkable and integrated with public transport systems like trains or buses.
TOD provides public transit systems with more viability, allowing people to live closer to work and reduce commute time while enhancing overall quality of life in communities that prioritize sustainability and walkability.
TODs also foster healthier lives for future residents. Long commutes expose people to harmful fumes and particulates, limit physical activity and decrease access to healthy food and leisure activities. TOD encourages density as a mix of residential, commercial and recreational uses in walking-friendly neighborhoods which improve air quality, foster social interactions and community involvement, reduce health-related costs while simultaneously lessening impact on environment & climate by decreasing energy consumption & emissions.
Physical Benefits
People can access their destinations more quickly and conveniently when their homes, offices, and other destinations are within walking distance of transit stations. This enables them to spend less time driving their car and more time doing what matters, such as spending quality time with family and friends or living a healthy lifestyle.
Compact neighborhoods that are dense, mixed-use and walkable provide more job opportunities and boost local economies, while simultaneously decreasing traffic congestion, air pollution and travel times; further providing residents and communities with improved quality of life.
TOD projects typically focus on public transit infrastructure such as light rail lines or frequent bus routes that serve high demand; typically designed to be more walkable than other built-up areas with narrow streets and smaller block sizes that taper off toward their edges. Communities located close to transit, like Lake Street Transit Village near Corcoran Station on Metro Transit’s Blue Line in Minneapolis, are known as transit villages.