Greening Mass Transit & Metro Regions: The Final Report - MTA

Smart Growth/TOD
Land use planning, transit access, and transit-oriented development
Smart growth and transit-oriented development (TOD) go
to the heart of the MTA’s mission. They also represent the
MTA’s greatest contribution to regional sustainability. By
expanding the reach and deepening the localization of its
transit network, the MTA reduces the fossil-fuel consumption
and the carbon footprint of the entire region. By enabling
more clustered, transit-rich development, the MTA helps
to mitigate the underlying causes of global warming while
promoting more livable, sustainable communities.
Emerging trends make this the right time for the MTA to
redouble its TOD efforts. The MTA’s “Strategic Regional
Review” projects a population increase in the service area
of over 4 million by 2030. The Commission urges that the
MTA work diligently with communities, developers, and
government officials to direct this growth away from autodependent
sprawl toward transit-centered development.
The MTA should seek to capture two-thirds of this new
growth. That is, the MTA transit network should strive to
attract two-thirds of the additional vehicles miles traveled
(VMTs) due to new growth between now and 2030; and
the MTA should encourage public and private planners to
cluster two-thirds of the new development within a quartermile
to a half-mile of MTA transit access.
Recessionary economic trends also argue for expanded
TOD initiatives. The Commission recommends that the
MTA strengthen all efforts to promote the environmental,
economic, and lifestyle benefits of transit access to local
communities, developers, legislators, and officials. Numerous
studies, including those cited in this report, prove the positive
correlation between TOD and property values. Local transit
access widens employment opportunities, links commercial
centers, reduces family fuel bills and helps create the livable,
walkable communities that homebuyers increasingly seek.
The Commission sees a prime opportunity for the MTA
to take ownership of what many refer to as the “last mile”
problem. The MTA should apply its resources and regional
overview to eliminate the remaining home-to-destination
gaps in the regional transit network through feeder/distributor
corridors, which includes feeder service (home to station),
distributor service (station to employment centers), lightrail,
bus rapid transit, shuttle service, bike routes and bike
facilities, and other transit modes.
Left: Metro-North is leading the Be in Beacon project that is
encouraging transit oriented development near Beacon Station
through a partnership with the State of New York, Dutchess County,
the City of Beacon, and other stakeholders
Public policy trends also look favorable for expanded
Smart Growth and TOD initiatives. From the Obama
Administration to state and local governments, a renewed
emphasis on economic stimulus, infrastructure, and sustainability
all play to the MTA’s strengths. In pursuing TOD
projects with public officials and local stakeholders, the
MTA brings many powerful tools and incentives to the
table. The MTA now has a portfolio of successful TOD
projects, extending from New York City boroughs to Long
Island suburbs and Hudson Valley communities. All involve
successful, long-term collaborations with multiple stakeholders.
Examples include recent partnerships in Yonkers,
Tarrytown, Beacon, Hudson Yards, the Atlantic Avenue hub,
and TODs and downtown revitalizations with several Long
Island communities.
Given these trends, the Commission sees excellent opportunities
for the MTA to leverage the proven economic, environmental,
and lifestyle values of transit-oriented development
through federal, state, and local partnerships.
GHGs Per Person
Kg CO 2 Equivalents/year
Average In-town House Outperforms
Even the Greenest Sprawl House with Hybrid Cars
Million BTU per year
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
250
200
150
100
50
0
0
114
125
Suburban Single
Family
239 MBTU
8,637
Low Density High Density
Transportation Buliding Operations Materials
Suburban Single
Family
Green 158 MBTU
Household Use
71
87
3,341
101
35
Urban Single
Family
136 MBTU
Transportation Use
Source: Journal of Urban Planning and
Development, Norman, March 2006
56
26
Urban Multi-
Family
Green 82 MBTU
Source: Jonathan Rose Companies, LLC
35