Quantifying Transportation Benefits of Transit-Oriented Development in New Jersey

Abstract

The cost of transportation plays an important role in residential location choice. Reducing transportation costs not only benefits the user but also improves the performance of the system as a whole. A direct impact of transit-oriented development (TOD) is the change in out-of-pocket costs for users, as well as the changes in costs of externalities and agency benefits. The prime mover for these changes is the shift in population when a TOD is built near train stations and the induced mode shifts from driving to transit. In this study several sites throughout New Jersey were evaluated to determine the cost of driving versus the cost of using rail transit to major employment destinations in New Jersey and New York City. Driving costs were composed of vehicle operating costs (including fuel, wear and tear, and depreciation), value of time based on the highway travel time from origin to destination, parking cost, and cost of externalities such as air and noise pollution, road maintenance, and accidents. Transit costs were composed of fares, parking costs, and values of travel time, waiting time, and transfer time. The likely changes in population resulting from the TOD were used to estimate changes in highway and transit trips. The costs were compared to derive the net benefit for transportation system users as a result of the TOD. Generally, TOD results in financial benefits to the user and the transportation system.

A Twenty-Five-Year Biography of the TOD Concept: From Design to Policy, Planning, and Implementation

“…Does it lead to greater well-being? Interestingly, there is little evidence about the effects of TOD on people's social capital, and of people's satisfaction with living in TOD environments (Mudigonda et al 2014;Nasar 2003;Noland and DiPetrillo 2015;Noland et al 2014;Noland, Puniello, and DiPetrillo 2016;Vincent et al 2012).…”

Is Labour Productivity Higher in Transit Oriented Development Areas? A Study of Beijing

“…It is recognised as a strategy that can potentially enhance the urban economy by reducing transportation costs (e.g. Mudigonda et al 2014;Nahlik & Chester 2014); by offering opportunities for land value capture © 2020 Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG (e.g. Cervero et al 2004;Renne 2008;Cervero & Murakami 2009;Mathur & Ferrell 2009;Bartholomew & Ewing 2011;Duncan 2011); and by stimulating employment (Belzer et al 2011;Schuetz 2015), company setup and relocation (Iseki & Jones 2014;Noland et al 2014;Zheng et al 2016), or industry net income (Seo et al 2013).…”

Institute of Transportation Engineers Guidelines versus Actual Trip and Parking Generation for a Transit-Oriented Development in an Auto-Oriented Region

“…Empirical studies highlight the influence of the built environment around TODs on transit ridership, active travel, and reducing car dependency ( 14–17 ). For example, an empirical study in New Jersey shows that the increase in population in TOD stations has resulted in about 2%–13% increase in transit ridership and more than $1,500–$8,800 of saving per year for transit users ( 18 ). Studies also report that residents who live in areas closer to transit stations make significantly more transit and walk trips than those who live outside of the transit catchment area ( 19, 20 ).…”