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Pace Development Guidelines |
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Pace Development Guidelines |
VI.
LAND USE CONSIDERATIONSSite design can have a substantial impact on access to public transportation for the transit user and the ability of transit to reach its market. It is important that developments be designed with consideration to the transit user and to transit vehicle specifications and service criteria. Proper site and building design as well as appropriate roadway and walkway systems can increase a development's serviceability by transit and a pedestrian's access to transit. Obstacles that prevent transit vehicles from servicing a site can be eliminated and the convenience and appeal of public transportation can be enhanced to encourage the use of public transportation and reduce the need for private vehicle trips that add to traffic congestion. Development design also can generate the densities necessary to provide efficient transit service. If densities are low, facilities such as park-n-ride lots can be incorporated into or nearby developments to offer better access to public transportation.
To effectively improve transit access and promote its use, site design measures must address the primary concerns of both the transit user and service provider. For the transit user, a major concern is the distance that must be walked/traveled to a transit stop. Since this distance is an important factor in the decision to use public transportation, walking distance should be minimized. If transit service is not convenient, the suburban traveler will use an alternative form of transportation --usually the automobile.
In providing transit service, a major concern of the transit agency is access to a market. Many times, development design hinders access by transit vehicles and thereby reduces service capabilities. If a development is to be efficiently served by public transportation, it must be designed to accommodate transit vehicles and facilitate transit service.
In addition, population and employment densities are important to transit service provision. These densities determine route layout and service frequency. For example, high density development, having densities of 4 or more dwelling units per acre (or greater than 4000 people per square mile), is compatible with public transportation. In these locations, transit users are concentrated and ridership levels generally justify frequent, regular service. Conversely, medium and low density developments, having densities of less than 4 du/acre, often are not conducive to traditional public transportation (due to their sprawling nature and low population densities). Generally, the volume of ridership in these areas is too low to support regular fixed route operations. Also, walking distances to fixed route services often are too great for pedestrians and walkways are not available. These conditions tend to restrict transit access and use. To provide this population with convenient access to transit service, alternative facilities --park-n-ride lots -- must be provided.
Recommended design considerations for residential, retail, office and industrial developments are discussed below. Municipalities, developers and others interested in designing for public transit can contact Pace's Transportation Engineer at (847)228-4287 for complimentary technical assistance and development plan reviews.
Included in the following Office and Industrial Land Use summary is a list of demand management techniques that promote the use of alternative forms of transportation over the single occupant automobile. Employers can use these techniques to help reduce traffic congestion in and around their development sites and also to decrease parking needs. To assist those employers interested in establishing demand management programs, Pace provides a no-cost advisory service. Pace's Marketing and Development Manager at (847)228-2467 can be contacted for assistance.
C. Office and Industrial Land Use
Revised: November, 1999.