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COMMUNITY ACTIVITY ENVIRONMENT ENACT STRATEGY: Transit Oriented Development Transit Oriented Development (TOD), also known as Transit Oriented Design, describes a means of designing communities to promote walking, bicycling, and decrease car dependence. Mixed-use residential and commercial areas are built close to or centered around public transportation stops. Pedestrian and bicycle routes are planned to directly connect these destination points. TOD makes public transportation more attractive than driving by creating concentrations of attractive destinations that residents and visitors can reach by transit and easily navigate by walking and bicycling upon arrival. TOD emphasizes creating more compact communities where transit reaches employment, public buildings, parks and open spaces, affordable housing, and retail. In the case that a community's infrastructure is already in place, TOD principles promote the growth of 'in-fill' rather than sprawl. Public transportation is often the best option for getting around among low-income populations due to low levels of car ownership. Investments and TOD developments should be prioritized within low-income and minority communities; encouraging public transportation options that are accessible, reliable and affordable. TOD also considers issues of transit accessibility for limited-mobility populations. A major benefit of TOD is its potential to reinvigorate and restore vitality to the urban core of communities by investing in the city.
Characteristics of communities revitalized by Transit Oriented Development:
San Mateo County TOD Fact Sheet Provides an overview of the health, community, and economic benefits of TOD. Programs The Local Government Commission Offers several informative fact sheets that helps educate and motivate cities and communities to incorporate TOD concepts into city planning and neighborhood development. States Promote Transit Oriented Design This bulletin from the Council of State Governments talks about three states that are implementing transit oriented design standards statewide and explains the state’s role in development. The City of Raleigh, North Carolina Planning Department (PDF) provides a definition of Transit-Oriented Development and discusses how the city is incorporating these principles into the planning sector. Station Area Opportunities, a pdf document accessible from the home page, describes the city's TOD plans in detail and lists implementation tools that other cities and communities can adopt. See the section titled “Implementation Strategies“ beginning on page 34. Active Living by Design Local Tools for Smart Growth - Practical Strategies and Techniques (PDF) Pedestrian Facilities User Guide (PDF) This online reference from The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center provides an extensive menu on various topics for community improvements pertaining to walkability and bikeability.
The City of Reedley took advantage of an abandoned rail line to design a pedestrian/ bike trail that encourages physical activity and connects residents to local destinations. The Rail Corridor Master Plan guides development and redevelopment around Reedley’s new Community Parkway. City of Portland: Portland Pedestrian Design Guide Local Government Commission U.S. Department of Energy's Smart Communities Network Smart Growth TALC (Transportation and Land Use Coalition) Strategies for Enhancing the Built Environment to Support Healthy Eating and Active Living The brief is a compilation of primary literature research and practiced based knowledge that shows the link between the built environment and health; several sections are dedicated to active transportation and public transit. New Yorkers in Pedestrian-Friendly Areas Have Lower BMIs (PDF)** This study found that New York City Residents who live in densely populated areas near public transportation and mixed-use developments have lower BMIs than other New Yorkers.
Kids take walks, if parks, stores nearby (PDF)** This study looked at data collected from a large study of land use and travel patterns called SMARTRAQ in the metro Atlanta area, and found that young people are more likely to walk if they live within a half-mile of a park or a store.
** We can only provide links to the study abstracts and not the full text. |
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