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Transit-Oriented Development
The key question to be explored is how can a transit system influence development trends in Central Arkansas for the better? The term "transit-oriented development" has been coined to help Central Arkansas and other metropolitan areas try to answer that question.
What is Transit-Oriented Development?
Transit-oriented development has been defined in a number of ways by many individuals and organizations. In general terms, it is development that creates a more "livable" community by promoting a greater share of travel by transit, bicycle, walking and ridesharing. In more specific terms, transit-oriented development principles include deliberate land use decisions that result in concentrations of mixed-use development at transit centers and in transit corridors to create a balance between jobs, housing and other desirable activities.
Types of Transit-Oriented Development
Transit-supportive development activities can range from small, localized projects affecting an isolated property to regional policies that attempt to shape development patterns of thousands of acres.
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Joint Development
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The transit agency works with private developers to provide partial funding of a transit facility
in a manner that benefits both parties economically.
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Livable Communities
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A federal program aimed at providing customer-friendly, community-oriented transit facilities
and services. In addition to providing funding for a transit facility, funding is also provided
for ancillary services that enhance the community adjacent to the facility.
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Station Area Planning
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Cities and/or transit agencies make land use decisions that are compatible with
and supportive of transit. A station area planning effort usually encompasses land use
decisions within a quarter- to a half-mile of a transit station.
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Growth Management
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An attempt to specify growth boundaries and regulate the amount of residential and commercial
development that can occur in given areas. Also designates certain areas as places where growth
should be focused in the future.
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What are the benefits of Transit-Oriented Development?
There are three types of benefits of transit-oriented development: economic, social and environmental.
Economic Benefits
- Development near transit maximizes public investment in transit.
- Transit-oriented development increases property values.
- Development near transit stations increase local tax revenues.
- Transit-oriented development increases retail sales tax revenues.
- Transit-oriented development offers an alternative to automobile-dependent developments.
Social Benefits
- Transit-oriented development can revitalize deteriorating city centers.
- Transit-oriented development can crate neighborhood focal points.
- Housing near transit can result in net savings in household transportation costs.
- Housing near transit can provide more accessible transportation.
- Transit-oriented development provides more housing choices.
Environmental Benefits
- Transit-oriented development can result in fewer vehicle miles and lower pollution.
Essential Elements of Transit-Oriented Development
There are three types of elements that comprise good transit-oriented development:
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Land Use
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Encourage a mix of land uses - residential, commercial, retail and light industrial - as
appropriate. New development should be located along existing or proposed transit routes.
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Site Design
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Retail and office facilities should be located close to sidewalks, roadways and transit lines
to minimize the distance required for pedestrian travel. New buildings should be oriented toward
transit routes and stops. Residential neighborhoods should be easily and safely connected with
transit stops by direct pedestrian walkways.
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Pedestrian and Transit Facilities
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Roads should be designed to accommodate neighborhood transit vehicles, and transit stops should be
located in the most convenient locations and with a maximum of passenger amenities to encourage
use. Landscaping should be generous, and walkways should be paved, attractive and safe.
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Summary
The benefits of transit-oriented development are well-documented across the country. Many local communities have successfully used transit-oriented development to reverse the trend toward urban sprawl and congestion. A thoughtful, well-coordinated program of transit-oriented development, combined with an efficient, convenient and well-designed fixed-guideway transit system, can provide numerous economic, social and environmental benefits to the Central Arkansas region.
Rail technology examples
Population growth trends
Corridor screening matrix
Corridor map
Cost Estimates and Overall Recommendations
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