Research by Integrated Transport Research, Inc indicates that vehicle traffic volume in transit station areas, sometimes called urban villages, is likely to increase as transit-oriented development proceeds over the course of years. This change would be the result of more population living, working, and shopping in station areas, and the likely continuing significant use of automobiles despite the availability of transit access.
Here is a simple illustration of what can happen with local traffic congestion in an optimistic scenario for transit-oriented development that results in more housing, jobs, and shopping near a transit station:
The principals at ITR are able to describe traffic growth in cases like these as part of their expert witness services. In addition to their own research, they have absorbed the theory and experience of transit-oriented development as depicted in the literature, including but not limited to the following:
Transit-Oriented Development Case Studies, by City of Seattle Strategic Planning Office, August 1999
Research-based expert witness services cover the trip generation, traffic congestion, change in mode split, and other transportation impacts likely to result from the greater density and mix of land uses in support of government planning for transit-oriented development, urban villages, and other land development configurations characterized as Smart Growth. In a recent case for a neighborhood association in Seattle we showed that TOD upzoning created a likelihood of increased vehicle traffic in proportion to the planned increase in population and in commercial uses.
Contact:
To ask questions or begin to explore how Expert Witness Services from Integrated
Transport Research, Inc. can assist your community, call or write:
Dick Nelson, Principal
Integrated Transport Research, Inc.
112 North 50th Street
Seattle, Washington 98107
1-206-781-0915
action@globaltelematics.com
Fax 208-730-2420