Also known as Transit-Oriented Design, or TOD for short, it is the creation of compact, walkable communities centered around high quality train systems. As our region begins a discussion on the future of our transportation system, the term transit oriented development will be heard more and more, especially related to light rail and commuter rail systems.  TOD makes it possible to live a higher quality life without complete dependence on a car for mobility and survival.

FACTORS DRIVING THE TREND

• Rapidly growing, traffic congestion nation-wide
• Growing distaste for suburbia
• Growing desire for quality urban lifestyle
• Growing desire for more walkable lifestyles away from cars
• Changes in family structures: more singles, empty-nesters, senior citizens, etc
• Growing national support for Smart Growth
• New focus of Federal policy

COMPONENTS OF TRANSIT-ORIENTED DESIGN

• Walkable design with pedestrian as the highest priority
• Direct regional and local train connections in the town center
• Train station as prominent feature of town center
• A regional node containing a mixture of uses in close proximity including office, residential, retail, and civic uses
• High density, high-quality development within 10-minute walk circle surrounding train station
• Collector support transit systems including trolleys, streetcars, light rail, and buses, etc
• Designed to include the easy use of bicycles, scooters, and rollerblades as daily support transportation systems
• Reduced and managed parking inside 10-minute walk circle around town center / train station

BENEFITS

• Higher quality of life
• Better places to live, work, and play
• Greater mobility with ease of moving around
• Increased transit ridership
• Reduced traffic congestion and driving
• Reduced car accidents and injuries
• Reduced household spending on transportation, resulting in more affordable housing
• Healthier lifestyle with more walking, and less stress
• Higher, more stable property values
• Increased foot traffic and customers for area businesses
• Greatly reduced dependence on foreign oil
• Greatly reduced pollution and environmental destruction
• Reduced incentive to sprawl, increased incentive for compact development
• Less expensive than building roads and sprawl
• Enhanced ability to maintain economic competitiveness