CTOD Creates Data-Rich TOD Typology And Station Profiles In LA

The Center for Transit Oriented Development has just finished a data-rich analysis of all 71 existing and planned rail stations in the City of Los Angeles and a TOD typology that organizes stations into place types based on their intensity (residents and workers in the half mile radius around stations) and mix of land uses. CTOD began developing TOD typologies several years ago to help cities and regions get a “big picture view” of all stations in their transit systems. CTOD has created typologies for Denver, Houston and Baltimore, and has been refining this approach with each new region.

In Los Angeles this work has yielded a wealth of information about the mix of land uses and underutilized property in the half-mile radius around stations; the households who live in these neighborhoods and their travel behavior, as well as changes in income and education and the threat of gentrification; and also vehicle miles traveled and transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions. The performance of each station can be assessed relative to other stations, providing for a focused analysis of strategies that can be employed to increase ridership or walking and biking, for example.

Most important, the typology can be used to help local governments as well as the private-sector and community stakeholders understand which stations should be prioritized for development, or for investments in affordable housing or bike and pedestrian infrastructure. The work in Los Angeles found, for example, that there is relatively little land available for development near stations. This means that TOD in Los Angeles may be as much about improving bike and pedestrian access to stations and ensuring that there’s a good mix of uses as it is about actual development at the station. The profiles completed for each station area can be used to help identify:

• The most appropriate strategies to reduce auto dependence, whether this entails development, improving the mix of uses, investment in affordable housing, or investment in bike and pedestrian access, for example.
• Whether the station has so much development potential that it should be prioritized for public and private investments.
• Whether there is an immediate threat of gentrification, and whether federal contracts for subsidized housing are expiring.

Among the conclusions of the LA report is that TOD requires the cooperation and collaboration of different departments and agencies that can together co-leverage the resources required to create high-performing neighborhoods where people don’t have to drive. The report, data and analytical tools were enthusiastically received by the project Steering Committee, which includes city staff and representatives of other agencies, as well as developers and community groups. The work was funded by the California Department of Transportation, and the project was managed by the Los Angeles County Metro.