Mariia Zimmerman
Vice President For Policy
Reconnecting America
www.reconnectingamerica.org
Reconnecting America is a national non-profit organization working to integrate transportation systems and the communities
they serve with the goal of generating lasting public and private returns, improving economic and environmental efficiency, and
giving consumers more housing and mobility choices. Reconnecting America provides the public and private sectors with an impartial, fact-based perspective on development-oriented transit and transit-oriented development, and seeks to reinvent the planning and delivery system for building regions and communities around transit and walking rather than solely around the
automobile.
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Reconnecting America: Integrating Transportation Systems and the Communities They Serve
1. Integrating Transportation Systems
and the Communities They Serve
Mariia Zimmerman, Reconnecting America
New York Public Transit Association, June 11, 2009
www.reconnectingamerica.org
2. Reconnecting America
Remaking the Mission of Transit for Communities and the Environment
CTOD
• Creating a national marketplace for TOD,
working with cities, transit agencies,
developers, investors + communities
• Technical assistance, research, + policy
reform
• On-line Clearinghouse of TOD + Transit
Best Practices
T4America
• An alliance of business, housing,
environment, development, labor, health,
ageing and transportation interests for
transportation investments that are
economically sound, respond to markets
and improve the lives of people
• Campaign Focus on the Next Federal
Transportation Bill
3. 2009: It was the Best of Times,
It was the Worst of Times
www.reconnectingamerica.org
4. • Transit increasingly
being seen as
legitimate tool to
save the planet
www.reconnectingamerica.org
5. National Transportation Objectives in
Support of Transit
•Economic
competitiveness and
System Efficiency
• Equal Access to
Improved Options
• System Condition and
Connectivity
• Safety and Public Health
• Energy Security
• Environmental and
Climate Protection
www.reconnectingamerica.org
7. AMERICANS WANT MORE TRANSPORTATION CHOICE
TRANSIT IS IN A
BUILDING
BOOM,
CREATING
MORE
OPPORTUNITIES
FOR TOD
• 3,500 existing stations in 33 regions with “fixed-guideway” transit; DENVER’S UNION STATION
• 700 additional stations being built and 15 regions with new systems;
• Many regions are deciding that rather than wait for federal funding they will tax
themselves to build transit
• The private sector is contributing to streetcar systems, new light and heavy rail stations
and new rail lines.
8. Demand for Walkable Urbanism or TOD will
Represent At Least 1/3 of the US Housing
Market by 2030
9. Transit Ridership at 40 Year High!
Transit Ridership Year High!
Up 32% Since 1995
10. Development Industry Responds
• ULI/PriceWaterhouseCoopers
“emerging trends” real estate
report ranked TOD as one of
the best bets for investors 4
years in a row
• Many developers re-orienting
towards infill projects
• Building permits in cities
growing as overall share over
last decade, sometimes
dramatically.
www.reconnectingamerica.org
11. • BUT …. Same
issues that have
created national
economic crisis
threaten transit
www.reconnectingamerica.org
19. Economy Energy Concerns
In 2009, we have a unique opportunity for change
in the next transportation cycle.
Demographics A Broke & Broken System
20. Goals for the Next Federal Bill
Empower Local Communities to Meet National Goals
Build a World Class 21st Transportation Network
Grow the Economy and Create Jobs
Give Americans the Transportation Options They Need
Ensure Safety & Improved Public Health Outcomes for All
Achieve Energy Security and Restore Climate Stability
21. Creating Success at Local Levels
• Planning for transit and TOD
needs to maximize the impact of
public transit investment
• Need coordinated plan for
success, so that everyone can
benefit
• Need for a regional transit and
land use vision that can guide
long-term implementation.
www.reconnectingamerica.org
22. Communities Supporting Transit
Synergy between land use and transit
delivers:
• Truly Affordable Housing and
Access to Jobs
• Expanded Travel, Shopping
and Housing Choices
• Regional Connections and
Less Need to Drive
• Community Revitalization
and Placemaking
• Environmental and Air
Quality Improvements
www.reconnectingamerica.org
23. Value to Transportation System
Synergy between transit and
land use that delivers:
• Increased Ridership and
Revenue
• Regional Connections and
Efficiency
• Value Creation and
Financial Return
• Public Support for
Expansion Projects
www.reconnectingamerica.org
25. Transit System
Size Affects TOD
Performance
• TOD Market Grows
• Car Ownership Declines
• Incomes Reflect Regional Profile
• Wider Array of Household Types
Seek Housing Near Transit
• Higher Walk, Bike and Transit
Mode Shares
• More Mid-Day Transit Trips
26. Integrating with Housing Choices
Portland’s Pearl District U Street, DC
www.reconnectingamerica.org
27. Integrating with Destinations
• Walk to shops and services
• Access daily needs without
driving
• Link trips to community uses
such as schools and libraries
• Employment centers served by
transit
Bethesda, MD
• Destinations Matter!
www.reconnectingamerica.org
28. Integrating with Travel Options
• Transit can’t do it alone
• Walkable places are essential
• Lower Parking Standards in TOD
• Car Sharing + Shared parking
• Bike and pedestrian connections
• High quality transit service and bus
connections
Minneapolis, MN
www.reconnectingamerica.org
29. Creating Vibrant Public Spaces
• Gathering places and opportunities
for interaction
• Reflect local character and
community
• Provide venue for various activities
• Demonstrate positive public
investment in transit and demand the
same from private sector.
San Francisco, CA
www.reconnectingamerica.org
30. Fostering Community
Engagement
• Outreach and meaningful
involvement in planning
process
• Long-term strategy and
collaboration
• Clear implementation
steps so everyone can
see progress
www.reconnectingamerica.org
38. What Can We Already Do?
• Target Housing and Economic
Development Incentives
NJ, MA, CA, IL
• Coordinate Land Use & Transit in
Planning and Funding
MD, OR, FL, CA
• Capture Value for Local Use
PA, CA , NC
• Early Land Acquisition for Pittsburgh Map?
Affordable Housing Or other Photos
New MN LAAND Program
www.reconnectingamerica.org
39. Creating Sustainable Communities with
Transit
• Think big!
• Provide benefits to a full range
of households.
• Form strong partnerships
• Plans and codes are not always
sufficient
• Be proactive and plan for
success
www.reconnectingamerica.org
40. Integrating Transportation Systems
and the Communities They Serve
Mariia Zimmerman, Reconnecting America
MZIMMERMAN@RECONNECTINGAMERICA.ORG, 202-429-6990
www.reconnectingamerica.org
Editor's Notes
( Left) The traditional view is the city generates more emissions than surrounding areas (Right) In reality, emissions per capita are much lower in the city In 2006, transit saved an estimated 3.4 billion gallons of gasoline in the US. Transit reduced global warming emission by nearly 26 million metric tons. In New York State alone, transit avoided 11.8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide pollution --- more than was produced by the entire economies of RI, VT or DC!
American want more housing choices but they also want more transportation choices. There’s been an explosion of interest in transit across the country. Because the demand for federal funding far exceeds available money, and because the federal review process is very costly and time-consuming, a growing number of regions are finding ways to fund transit locally. Many are working with the private sector to raise money for new lines and stations, and I’ll tell you more about that later. Denver, Austin, Houston, the San Francisco Bay Area, Charlotte, Atlanta, New York City, Los Angeles and Washington D.C. are all either striking out on their own or partnering with the private sector.
Pittsburgh from 42K HH in 2000 to 98K HH demand in 2030
Commuter Rail Experiencing 2 nd Highest Ridership Growth Rates (after light rail UP 32% Since 1995 Up 5.2% in 2 nd Q 2008 3,500+ existing stations in 27 regions with “fixed-guideway transit” 630 additional stations planned in 15 regions with new systems 45 members of the national Community Streetcar Coalition Private sector is contributing to transit construction Funding can’t keep pace with plans
Traditional neighborhoods are developed for traditional families. 21st century neighborhoods need to accommodate diversity. People want different kinds of housing today -- lofts and live-work spaces, condos, townhomes, row houses. This is the kind of housing that’s hot in Los Angeles today. Downtown L.A. is the new hot residential neighborhood, even though there isn’t a single grocery store downtown because the only people who have been living there in the last 50 years are homeless. There are 150 projects in development in downtown, and 90 of them include a residential element. 26 are loft projects -- the Central City Association anticipates that 10,000 renters and buyers will tour downtown this weekend for its annual open house tour.
Transit operations spending provides a direct infusion to the local economy. 570 jobs are created for each $10 million invested in the short run. 59 communities across the U.S. that face job cuts, service reductions and fare hikes, but will receive no assistance under the current recovery proposals before Congress to prevent these painful cuts. Together, these systems are responsible for more than 20 million trips each day by everyday Americans. Map is continuously updated and available at: www.t4america.org/transitcuts
-everyone feels it Lots of discussion about change What kind of change are we talking about? - and why now? – this first
Era of cheap gasoline is over - Americans are hurting - older and rural Americans are stranded – people we know and pieces in the news about the older couple in a rural area who is not going to needed doctor’s visit because the gas cost is too high Families cancelling trips, trying to figure out how to cut their gas costs because it is eating away at their household budget Our foreign policy has a strangle hold on our economy Time of opportunity too: Demographics are changing – RCLC study from last year- more than 30% of all households today would move to a closer in, more compact neighborhood where they can walk places – IF THEY COULD AFFORD IT – that was demand before gas prices went up By 2040 – more than 3/4 th of all households will be without kids – empty nesters and singles or couples without kids – more likely to want town center, more diverse kinds of homes. Highway Trust Fund is broke – not enough money for the next year System is broken – states are not keeping up what they already have – crumbling infrastructure – tragedy of the MN bridge last year – just waiting to happen elsewhere
Create jobs - from highway maintenance and repair to public transit upgrades to green housing and neighborhood construction. Build a world-class rail network — both between cities and within them — that links our communities, transports people and goods more smoothly and makes our economy more competitive. Protect what we built – maintain what we have and fix that before we build any new roads. Help people drive less, avoid unpredictable gas prices, get healthy and stay active in their own neighborhoods through expanded construction of public transit, bicycle routes, and safe sidewalks to walk on. Set and enforce national transportation standards, but empower local communities to decide what is necessary to meet those goals as well as the needs of its neighborhoods and residents.
Portland Streetcar generated approximately 17 times the public investment in private investment.
Regions are NETWORKS of CORRIDORS Corridors present different market opportunities Corridors can change over time with growth More research needed Density thresholds Market dynamics Ridership implications VMT Impacts
Photos at the bottom show women who have just gotten off a bus in a suburban area, trying to cross the street to get to a mall where they are trying to shop. Details in TOD are critical in accruing benefits.
Greenbuild Expo 2007: TOD and Sustainable Urbanism 01/25/13
7,248 housing units built 4.6 million sq ft of office Record # of building permits issued 7 years in a row Portland met its 20yr. housing goal in 7 years on 1/10th the land Properties closest to streetcar developed at 90% of permitted density
Land value around station up 81% in 10 years 8% of county land generates 33% of county revenues 50% of residents take transit to work, 73% walk to stations Modest increase in traffic Surrounding single-family homes preserved