In addition to some interesting findings regarding the relative benefits of investment in bus rapid transit, a new report from ITDP reached some fascinating conclusions concerning the factors most important to maximizing transit investment.
Perhaps the most surprising item in the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy's (ITDP) new report on maximizing transit investment, says Eric Jaffe, is the fact that transit quality has "a limited role in predicting transit-oriented development".
"So what mattered most to TOD success? Government intervention, says ITDP. When local government did almost nothing to promote TOD, a new transit line generated only a nominal amount of economic investment," notes Jaffe. "Only when strong government intervention occurred was a transit line assured of generating a great deal of TOD success."
"Rezoning a corridor to encourage mixed-use development, creating a comprehensive plan for the area, actively reaching out to investors, marketing the program, offering financial incentives — these elements of a strong official involvement directly predicted TOD success."
FULL STORY: The Surprising Key to Making Transit-Oriented Development Work
Double First: The First Station on Tampa Bay's First BRT Line Complete
The first of 15 bus rapid transit stations in St. Petersburg was unveiled last week.
What Makes a Transit System Great in the U.S.
Transit should make people's lives better, with density a key component of successful systems.
Is Boston Ready for Gold Standard Bus Rapid Transit?
Gold Standard is the term used by the Institute for Transportation & Development Policy to define world-class BRT service. A recently released ITDP study, underwritten by the Barr Foundation, argues for more Gold Standard service.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Crime Continues to Drop on Philly, San Francisco Transit Systems
SEPTA and BART both saw significant declines in violent crime in the first quarter of 2025.
How South LA Green Spaces Power Community Health and Hope
Green spaces like South L.A. Wetlands Park are helping South Los Angeles residents promote healthy lifestyles, build community, and advocate for improvements that reflect local needs in historically underserved neighborhoods.
Sacramento Plans ‘Quick-Build’ Road Safety Projects
The city wants to accelerate small-scale safety improvements that use low-cost equipment to make an impact at dangerous intersections.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service