There is growing public interest in implementing transit-oriented development (TOD) where it is appropriate and cost-effective. TOD can be leveraged to support state and local government policies intended to reduce vehicle miles traveled and the expansion of parking facilities that contribute to increased congestion. WSDOT is uniquely positioned to effectively catalyze TOD in the state of Washington. It can leverage its resources, including significant land holdings for parking and other transportation facilities, to build partnerships with regional transit agencies, municipalities, and private developers to initiate TOD. However, it needs a screening tool that can help planners understand the circumstances and locations where TOD might be appropriate. This project is aimed at developing and testing an effective planning support tool that will help WSDOT identify the promising sites—specifically park and ride facilities—on which to focus its TOD efforts. To develop a sophisticated prioritization screening tool to examine the potential for TOD in transit station areas, the project team will consider a range of location characteristics, socioeconomic indicators, and policy measures. The project could help effectively target scarce resources and serve as a model for other states to follow. Through timely planning and implementation of TOD projects, the agency can continue to promote environmentally responsible and socially equitable transportation services, while making important contributions to alleviating the affordable housing shortage.
Principal Investigators:
Qing Shen, Urban Design and Planning, UW
Arthur Acolin, Real Estate, UW
Anne Vernez Moudon, Urban Design and Planning, UW
Sponsor: WSDOT
WSDOT Technical Monitor: Anthony Buckley
WSDOT Project Manager: Doug Brodin
Scheduled completion: September 2023