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Transit Oriented Development |
What is Transit-Oriented Development?
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) is defined by the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) as moderate to high-density, mixed-use communities generally located within a half-mile radius (ten-minute walk) of a rail or bus station designed to maximize walkability and transit access. Also referred to as New Urbanism or sustainable development, TOD provides residents with increased mobility options, a variety of retail and commercial outlets within a short distance of their homes while the compact style of development preserves open space.
Transit-oriented development is popular nation-wide, driven by increasing traffic congestion, changing demographics and a growing desire to live in mixed-use, walkable communities accessible to transit. Here in northeastern Illinois, dozens of communities have either developed plans or approved TOD projects. Communities realize that these types of development tend to create more diverse, livable communities that allow their residents to limit their auto dependence by being able to walk to work, the grocery store or the transit station. The ability to walk to destinations and access transit is especially important for the mobility-limited, young people, the elderly, those who do not own cars and those who choose not to drive.
Why does the RTA support the use of Transit-Oriented Development?
The Vision and Goals of the RTA’s Five-Year Strategic Plan, Moving Beyond Congestion, support the concept of TOD. The Vision calls for a public transportation system that supports clean air and livable communities, both of which can be achieved through the use of TOD. The Goals of Provide Transportation Options, Enhance Livability and Economic Vitality and Demonstrate Value can all be achieved through the use of TOD. The Strategic Plan also specifically calls for the regional transit system to “integrate transit investments with local and regional planning processes, and; integrate funding with transit-oriented development.” The RTA also values the benefits that TOD can bring to the transit system, communities, residents, and the environment, which are outlined below.
What are the benefits of Transit-Oriented Development?
Transit-Oriented Development Resources
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Annual Call for Projects Timeline
April 8, 2009
Call for Projects launched
June 12, 2009
Applications are due
to the RTA by 3:00 P.M. CST
August 20, 2009
Preliminary Programs of Projects
presented to the RTA Board of Directors
August 20- September 30, 2009
Public comment period
October 15, 2009
Programs of Projects presented to the RTA Board of Directors for approval
December 2009
RTA Board of Directors considers approval of funding for the Community and Subregional Planning programs
RTAMS
For additional information on RTA planning initiatives, please visit
the Regional Transportation Asset Management System (RTAMS). The RTAMS
is a transportation information retrieval system which has been
developed by the RTA. The system’s goal is to improve access to the
region's enormous transportation data resources being gathered by the
RTA, its service boards and other regional transportation and planning
agencies.
The RTAMS
contains an inventory of RTA-sponsored planning programs and projects. The RTAMS allows users to download completed studies and to view progress on ongoing efforts. http://rtams.org
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