Transit-oriented development (TOD) aims to integrate land use and transportation systems to bring activities, buildings, and public spaces together around transit stations to promote walkability and transit ridership. Key components of TOD include high density, mixed-use development within a 10 minute walk of transit stations, with pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure prioritized. Benefits include reduced traffic, higher property values, and more sustainable transportation patterns. Successful TOD relies on quality public transit, active transportation, mixed land uses, density, and public spaces centered around transit.

1. TOD

2. Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)
• TOD, or transit-oriented development, means integrated urban places designed to
bring people, activities, buildings, and public space together, with easy walking and
cycling connection between them and near-excellent transit service to the rest of
the city.
• It includes inclusive access for all to local and citywide opportunities and resources
by the most efficient and healthful combination of mobility modes, at the lowest
financial and environmental cost, and with the highest resilience to disruptive
events.

3. FACTORS DRIVING THE TREND
TOWARD TOD
• Rapidly growing, mind-numbing traffic congestion nation-wide
• Growing distaste for suburbia and fry-pit strip development
• Growing desire for quality urban lifestyle
• Growing desire for more walkable lifestyles away from traffic
• Changes in family structures: more singles, empty-nesters, etc
• Growing national support for Smart Growth

4. COMPONENTS OF TRANSIT ORIENTED
DEVELOPMENT
• Walkable design with pedestrian as the highest priority
• Train station as prominent feature of town center
• Public square fronting train station
• A regional node containing a mixture of uses in close proximity (office, residential,
retail and civic)
• High density, walkable district within 10-minute walk circle surrounding train
station
• Collector support transit systems including streetcar, light rail and buses, etc.
• Designed to include the easy use of bicycles and scooters as daily support
transport
• Large ride in bicycle parking areas within stations
• Bike share rental system and bikeway network integrated into stations
• Reduced and managed parking inside 10 minute walk circle around town center /
train station
• Specialized retail at stations serving commuters and locals including cafes, grocery
and dry cleaners

5. Benefits Of TOD
• Higher quality of life with better places to live, work and play
• Greater mobility with ease of moving around
• Increased transit ridership
• Reduced traffic congestion, 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, reduced pollution and environmental damage
• Reduced incentive to sprawl, increased incentive for compact development
• Less expensive than building roads and sprawl
• Enhanced ability to maintain economic competitiveness
• Incorporation of public and private sector engagement and investment
• Revitalization of neighborhoods
• Improved safety for pedestrians and cyclists through non-motorized infrastructure

6. “three values” (3V) of transit stations
and surrounding areas:
• The Node value describes the importance of a station in the public
transit network based on passenger traffic, connections with other
transport modes and centrality within the network.
• The Place value reflects the quality and attractiveness of the area
around the station. Factors include the diversity of land use; the
availability of essential services such as schools and healthcare; the
proportion of everyday amenities that can be accessed by walking
or cycling; pedestrian accessibility and also the size of urban blocks
around the station.
• The Market potential value refers to the unrealized market value of
station areas. It is measured by looking at the major variables that
can influence the demand for land (current and future number of
jobs in the vicinity of the station, number of jobs accessible by
transit within 30 minutes, current and future housing densities) as
well as the supply (amount of developable land, possible changes in
zoning policy, market vibrancy etc.).

7. Design Principles of TOD
• The eight Principles of the TOD standard for designing
better streets and better cities.
• Walk - Develop neighborhoods that promote walking.
• Cycle - Prioritize non-motorized transport networks.
• Connect - Create dense networks of streets and paths.
• Transit - Locate development near high quality public
transport.
• Mix - Plan for mixed use.
• Density - Optimize density and transit capacity.
• Compact - Create regions with short commutes.
• Shift - Increase mobility by regulating parking and road
use.

8. Principles for Transit Oriented
Development
Cities can ensure TOD by focusing on the following seven principles.
1) Quality Public Transit
• Public transit is strongly linked to urban development. High quality, convenient transport depends
on dense and connected neighborhoods. The goal of a transport system is to connect a high
number of riders with the city in a comfortable, efficient and affordable way.
2) Active Transport
• The interests of pedestrians and cyclists should be at the heart of urban planning. Decision making
should shift residents, particularly car users, to active transport. Many commuters already take two
non-motorized trips on a daily basis by walking to and from transit hubs to their homes or cars. It is
important to build on this and encourage non-motorized transport holistically.
3) Car Use Management
• Car use and parking policies play an important role in creating a safe, human oriented urban
environment.
4) Mixed Use Neighborhoods with Efficient Buildings
• A mixture of land uses enhances the local economy by densifying and diversifying the design of the
community. Mixed use neighborhoods favor short trips by foot or bike. Similarly, buildings should
minimize how much energy and water they consume and require for building and maintenance.

9. Principles for Transit Oriented
Development
5) Neighborhood Centers and Vibrant Ground Floors
• A built environment with adequate public space promotes social interaction between residents.
Sustainable urban communities must be sufficiently dense and contain a variety of uses that are
complementary to residential life. Public spaces should be connected to the urban transport
network and serve as vibrant, human centered places of activity.
6) Public Spaces
• The purpose of public space is not only to enhance public life and social interaction, but also to
provide a safe environment for pedestrians and cyclists. Public space is the place of encounter,
exchange, and circulation within a community. All individuals have the right to access public spaces,
regardless of personal, social or economic condition.
7) Community Participation and Collective Identity
• Community participation is essential to building a vibrant, inclusive neighborhood that is safe and
equitable. Stimulating community participation creates a more equitable, harmonious relationship
between varying social groups living in the same area. Respecting the unique identity of local
communities results in a higher share of residents engaging in civic, cultural and economic
activities, generating a sense of belonging and ownership of the city.