TOD maximizes the development impact of public transit investments, enhances regional competitiveness and advances equity. TOD also fosters vibrant neighborhoods while decreasing car traffic, air pollution and greenhouse gases emissions.
TOD principles can be implemented successfully in urban, suburban and rural environments alike – as well as with bus rapid transit (BRT) systems.
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)
Development and transit work hand in hand to create vibrant, walkable communities that optimize density, increase transit ridership, decrease congestion and emissions, bolster local economic activity and offer more affordable housing solutions. According to studies, people living in TODs tend to report greater satisfaction with their travel domain and overall wellbeing.
Cities can incorporate TOD targets into their sustainability plans. For instance, New York City aims to construct 95% of new housing within half-mile radius from mass transit stations under their PLANYC plan.
To ensure equitable outcomes, TOD initiatives should be conducted through open, inclusive processes that foster wide public involvement and invite broad participation from citizens and community organizations. This may involve creating community benefits agreements or making sure TOD policies take into account the needs of low-income households – specifically seniors – when crafting policies. NOACA is currently developing a regional TOD scorecard and implementation plan to assist Northeast Ohio communities promote equitable TOD across its region.
Pedestrian-Oriented Development (POD)
Develop neighborhoods around transit centers to create walkable, vibrant communities that take advantage of public transportation services and encourage walkability. It encourages compact urban growth while curbing sprawl; reduces exposure to toxic car fumes and dangerous traffic conditions; and allows people to live and work without using their personal vehicle.
Transit-oriented development (TOD) offers one solution to address historical inequities that have restricted some groups’ access to neighborhood amenities, while also creating economic prosperity by opening doors for small businesses that specialize in services or online commerce.
Kickstart pedestrian-oriented development by elevating the connection between building placement and pedestrian infrastructure such as sidewalks and pathways within community vision and goals documents (Elgin 2018). Making pedestrian-friendly accommodations part of zoning ordinances will also ensure walking remains a top priority during all new construction – such as mandating active ground floor uses with pedestrian-friendly shop fronts; mandating building awnings to provide shelter from sun or rain; or designing stepped block designs which encourage walking from nearby residential areas.
Transit Villages
Transit villages are quickly gaining ground as a new concept in urban planning. A number of towns have implemented policies encouraging their development around train stations.
Though no actual transit villages have yet been constructed in the US, computer simulations such as those shown here (of two neighborhoods with 12 and 48 units per acre respectively) provide insight into what life may be like within such communities for people of various ages, income levels and lifestyles.
However, two significant barriers still impede this vision’s realization: fiscal and political. Some jurisdictions limit high-density housing development through restrictive land-use policies and NIMBY forces that favor single-family residential areas over those allowing multi-family households to share in tax burden of city services and schools; similarly existing residents, business owners, and community-based organizations must use their political clout against any competitive pressures that would hamper equitable transit village development.
Transit Corridors
Corridors are networks of transit routes that connect communities. They act as vital links between urban centers and their surrounding lands, serving by bus or rail service or both – essential components to creating TOD and livable communities.
Corridor studies assess how best to operate a corridor, considering both operational costs incurred by transit agencies and temporal costs experienced by users. They can also provide opportunities for cost-effective service upgrades.
The Task Force recommends several measures to promote livable communities along transit corridors, from modest strategies to bold and ambitious ones.