Impacts of Transit Oriented Development on Public Transportation Ridership
Document Type
Report
Publication Date
2005
Subject Area
planning - surveys, land use - transit oriented development, land use - impacts, ridership - mode choice, place - urban, literature review - literature review
Keywords
Cellular telephones, Florida, Literature reviews, Modal shift, Modal split, Mode choice, Policy, Public transit, Quality of service, Ridership, Transit oriented development, Travel behavior, Travel surveys, Trip length, Urban form
Abstract
The purpose of Phase I of this study was to develop a research design to better establish the relationship between transit oriented development (TOD) and travel mode share. The initial hypothesis that good quality transit combined with good quality TOD would succeed in shifting travelers from single-occupant vehicle travel to transit was found to be an oversimplification. Good quality transit service is necessary and good quality TOD is likely helpful and important to shifting mode share but not sufficient. Other necessary factors include supporting elements of the larger urban spatial structure, disincentives to driving alone, favorable marketability of TOD for non-transportation reasons, and incentives to use transit. Research literature suggests that elements of urban form are perhaps not the most important determinants of travel behavior, specifically mode choice, number of trips taken and length of trips. However, urban form does appear to exert some kind of influence, and for that reason, it is worthwhile to further specify the relationship to ascertain how policy initiatives relating to TOD can support the goal to balance mode share in the direction of greater transit use. To better define the elements of TOD that shape travel behavior, this study describes a research design for the development of a panel survey, using recently developed cell phone technology, to track the same individuals and households over time. Using a pre-test post-test design, the survey data collected for a region in Florida would be a sound investment for improved travel forecasting, modeling and other uses.
Recommended Citation
Hendricks, S.J. (2005). Impacts of Transit Oriented Development on Public Transportation Ridership. Report No. BD549-05 prepared by National Center for Transit Research for Florida Department of Transportation.
