The Transit Metropolis

What is a Transit Metropolis? Transit metropolis is a region where a ‘workable fit’ exists between transit services and urban form Transit metropolis is a region where a ‘workable fit’ exists between transit services and urban form Perhaps compact mixed use development well suited to rail Perhaps compact mixed use development well suited to rail Perhaps flexible bus services well suited to dispersed development Perhaps flexible bus services well suited to dispersed development Viewed as a paradigm for sustainable regional development Viewed as a paradigm for sustainable regional development

Types of Transit Metropolises Adaptive Cities- transit oriented cities that have invested in rail systems to guide urban growth and achieve larger societal objectives Adaptive Cities- transit oriented cities that have invested in rail systems to guide urban growth and achieve larger societal objectives Such as preserving open space, producing affordable housing in rail served communities Such as preserving open space, producing affordable housing in rail served communities All feature compact mixed use suburban communities and new towns concentrated around rail nodes All feature compact mixed use suburban communities and new towns concentrated around rail nodes Examples: Stockholm, Tokyo, Singapore and Copenhagen Examples: Stockholm, Tokyo, Singapore and Copenhagen

Types of Transit Metropolises Adaptive Transit- places that have accepted spread out low density patterns of growth Adaptive Transit- places that have accepted spread out low density patterns of growth Seek to appropriately adapt transit services and new technologies to these environments Seek to appropriately adapt transit services and new technologies to these environments Karlsruhe (dual track systems); Adelaide (track guided buses) and Mexico City (small vehicle entrepreneurial services) Karlsruhe (dual track systems); Adelaide (track guided buses) and Mexico City (small vehicle entrepreneurial services)

Types of Transit Metropolises Strong Core Cities- integrating transit and urban development within a more confined central city context Strong Core Cities- integrating transit and urban development within a more confined central city context Provide integrated tram services around mixed traffic tram and light rail system Provide integrated tram services around mixed traffic tram and light rail system Trams designed into streetscapes and coexist with pedestrian and bicycle traffic Trams designed into streetscapes and coexist with pedestrian and bicycle traffic Examples: Zurich and Melbourne Examples: Zurich and Melbourne

Types of Transit Metropolises Hybrid: adaptive cities and adaptive transit Hybrid: adaptive cities and adaptive transit Create workable balance between concentrating development along main line transit corridors and adapting transit to serve their spread out suburbs and exurbs Create workable balance between concentrating development along main line transit corridors and adapting transit to serve their spread out suburbs and exurbs Munich-heavy rail trunk line services, light rail and conventional bus services have strengthened central city while also serving suburban growth axes Munich-heavy rail trunk line services, light rail and conventional bus services have strengthened central city while also serving suburban growth axes

Forming the Transit Metropolis: Complementary Demand Side Approaches Transportation Demand Management- aims to make more efficient use of transport resources already in place by shifting demand (to carpools) or eliminate trips (telecommuting); inefficient parking space- more efficient management; parking availability dissuades use of public transit Transportation Demand Management- aims to make more efficient use of transport resources already in place by shifting demand (to carpools) or eliminate trips (telecommuting); inefficient parking space- more efficient management; parking availability dissuades use of public transit

Forming the Transit Metropolis: Complementary Demand Side Approaches Restraints on Automobile Use- ‘traffic calming’ –local streets belong to residents- barriers, etc Restraints on Automobile Use- ‘traffic calming’ –local streets belong to residents- barriers, etc Banning traffic from downtown areas Banning traffic from downtown areas License plate will determine when auto can enter the CBD License plate will determine when auto can enter the CBD

Forming the Transit Metropolis: Complementary Demand Side Approaches Regulation of Auto Performance- improve performance rather than attempt to change travel behavior Regulation of Auto Performance- improve performance rather than attempt to change travel behavior Re-engineer cars to improve fuel efficiency (GM, etc and move to hybrid vehicles) Re-engineer cars to improve fuel efficiency (GM, etc and move to hybrid vehicles) Lower emissions- Clean Air Act Lower emissions- Clean Air Act

Forming the Transit Metropolis: Complementary Demand Side Approaches Setting the Right Prices- Proper pricing eliminates the need for heavy handed controls over car use and public intervention into private land markets Setting the Right Prices- Proper pricing eliminates the need for heavy handed controls over car use and public intervention into private land markets Congestion fees, carbon taxes and parking surcharges Congestion fees, carbon taxes and parking surcharges Higher motoring fees –will people over time move closer to jobs and transit stops to economize on travel? Higher motoring fees –will people over time move closer to jobs and transit stops to economize on travel? Elitist view and unrealistic to charge more?? Elitist view and unrealistic to charge more??

Forming the Transit Metropolis: Complementary Supply Side Approaches Advanced Technologies- GPS systems to avoid congestion spots and eliminate need to travel; smart roadways-automatically adjust traffic signals Advanced Technologies- GPS systems to avoid congestion spots and eliminate need to travel; smart roadways-automatically adjust traffic signals Telecommunications- e-commerce and virtual shopping Telecommunications- e-commerce and virtual shopping Nonmotorized transport- bicycle facilities and provisions Nonmotorized transport- bicycle facilities and provisions