Transit-oriented development (TOD) is compact, mixed-use development built within walking distance of a transit station, typically within about a half mile, so that residents, workers and visitors can rely on transit, walking and cycling.
TOD combines density, a mix of uses and good pedestrian connections around the station. Parking is where many TOD projects succeed or fail: too much of it lowers density, raises costs and fills the station area with traffic; too little, without alternatives, can hurt early leasing. California now backs TOD with state law. See AB 2097 and SB 79.
Parking strategies that support TOD
- No or reduced parking minimums near transit.
- Unbundled parking so residents pay only for the spaces they use.
- Shared parking among uses with different peak times.
- Parking maximums in the most transit-rich areas.
- Mobility services and curb space for pickup, drop-off and deliveries. See mobility court.
Challenges
- Station parking for commuters competes with land for development. See park-and-ride.
- Affordability and displacement concerns as station areas gain value.
- Coordination among transit agencies, cities and developers.
The Parkonomics view
A transit station surrounded by parking is a park-and-ride, not a neighborhood. TOD works when parking is shared, priced and sized for the people who actually drive.
Related terms: AB 2097, SB 79, Parking Minimums, Unbundled Parking, Shared Parking, Smart Growth