Measuring the level of TOD-ness of transit areas around small train stations in Zuidoost-Brabant
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Last Updated: 10-2020
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) is a planning approach that counteracts urban sprawl and stimulates the use of public transport. It is an easily accessible and walkable area around a transit stop, which integrates land use with the transport system to increase access to public transportation, utilizing already serviced land rather than increasing urban sprawl, increasing transit ridership, reducing pollution by vehicular traffic, reducing the consumption of oil and gas and offering benefits such as healthier lifestyles. TOD is best known from dense urban areas or large cities, while numerous problems in city centers originate from suburban areas around it. This is because people from suburban areas, often still work or visit the big cities and are high users of personal cars. Besides that, the TOD approach in the suburban areas with lower density, fewer amenities, and transit options is less interesting for policymakers and urban planners compared to TOD’s in large cities. To create a more sustainable society, trips of people in both high-density and low-density areas must change.
To evaluate the TOD-ness of transit areas around small train stations, a tool is created that gives an overview of where improvements can be made. This tool measures the node values, place values, and the perception of users with eight criteria and 24 measurable indicators at a total of 10 transit areas around small stations in the case study of Zuidoost-Brabant. Area-specific recommendations are given based on eight criteria and the final TOD score.
This tool aims to fill the scientific gap for measuring TOD’s around small stations and can be used by municipalities, provinces, and advisory companies to get a clear overview of the level of TOD-ness is of a certain transit area. From the user’s perspective, improvements in the transit areas contribute to a more attractive area with high-quality transit service, which could lead to a more sustainable mobility and society. A new daily urban system can be created around small train stations that enhance the polycentrism of a region and decreases mobility problems in the city center.