Zoning, Coding and Urban Design

Why Design Matters for Transit

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This Recommended Practice promotes the importance of design in the success of a transit project, including transit facilities and transit systems. Key principles of design are summarized, and specific tools to achieve design excellence are described, including design guidelines. Design and the design process are promoted for establishing an agency vision and sense of purpose, … Continued

The Innovative DOT: A Handbook of Policy and Practice (Third Edition)

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This handbook collects the innovative approaches that state transportation leaders are already using to make systems more efficient and effective in today’s challenging economy. Smarter transportation investments are both possible and popular; the challenge is determining where to begin and to whom to reach out for support and guidance. Every state is different, from the … Continued

Wasatch Front Measuring Urban Street Design

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Street design influences the feelings and decisions of the pedestrian. Beyond just the mode of travel, street design affects how attractive, and ultimately, how economically viable an area will be.

Transit Street Design Guide

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The Transit Street Design Guide sets a new vision for how cities can harness the immense potential of transit to create active and efficient streets in neighborhoods and downtowns alike. Building on the Urban Street Design Guide and Urban Bikeway Design Guide, the Transit Street Design Guide details how reliable public transportation depends on a commitment to transit at every level … Continued

Guidelines for Providing Access to Public Transportation Stations

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TCRP Report 153 – This report is intended to aid in the planning, developing, and improving of access to high capacity commuter rail, heavy rail, light rail, bus rapid transit, and ferry stations. The report includes guidelines for arranging and integrating various station design elements. The print version of TCRP Report 153 is accompanied by … Continued

Effects of TOD on Housing, Parking, and Travel

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TCRP Report 128 – The objectives of this research are to (1) determine the behavior and motivation of TOD residents, employees, and employers in their mode choice; (2) identify best practices to promote TOD-related transit ridership; and (3) recommend contextual use of best practices. The results of this research may be used by project, land-use, … Continued

Stalled Out: How Empty Parking Spaces Diminish Neighborhood Affordability

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This report explores the relationship between unused parking and neighborhood affordability. Many cities, including Chicago, mandate the minimum number of parking spaces new developments need to build. As the report points out, however, these minimum requirements don’t always reflect real demand. It notes that apartment buildings near frequent transit (such as CTA trains) need less … Continued

Replacement Parking for Joint Development: An Access Policy Methodology

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This report suggests a method for developing access and replacement parking strategies for BART’s Joint Development Program. It summarizes the context for this issue, identifies problems associated with current replacement parking practice, proposes general principles for access/replacement parking, and recommends an access/replacement parking methodology.

Are TODs Over-Parked?

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Many apartment projects near urban rail stations, critics charge, are “over-parked” – more parking is provided than needed. This can drive up the cost of housing, consume valuable land near transit, and impose environmental costs such as water pollution from enlarged impervious surfaces. Part of the blame for oversupply of parking in TODs (transit-oriented developments) … Continued