| The era of “Smart Growth”
has emerged in recent years as densely populated regions of
the United States struggle to control increased traffic congestion,
air pollution, and sprawl suburban development. A key theme
of the Smart Growth initiative is development and redevelopment
anchored around transit stations, or Transit-Oriented Development
(TOD).
Research in this area has become a strength
of the Alan M. Voorhees Transportation
Center, a reflection of its location in New Jersey which
has embraced TOD through the designation of 19 Transit Villages.
VTC Director Dan Chatman, Senior Fellow Martin E. Robins, and Project Manager Stephanie E. DiPetrillo
form the core of VTC's TOD team and have spoken at numerous
conferences, both nationally and internationally, on the topic
of TOD. The center also produces a nationally recognized newsletter on TOD issues, Transit-Friendly Development.
New Jersey has taken a lead role nationally in TOD through its Transit Village Initiative, which fosters active planning and intergovernmental cooperation on land use and transportation issues. Current work includes an evaluation of the economic development impacts of the RiverLINE light rail system and an examination of the difficulties encounted while developing in transit accessible locations.
In 2006, VTC hosted its second symposium examining the efforts made by the state program. This event brought together over 150 people, including developers, government officials, consultants, and advocates in the area of TOD and marked the progress made since our 2003 Transit Village Symposium. At each gathering, VTC released the findings of our evaluation of the state program for the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
The Transit Village Initiative seeks to revitalize
and grow selected communities with transit as an anchor. A
Transit Village is designated as the half-mile area around
a transit facility (this is also typically referred to as
a TOD area).
The Transit Village Initiative fits into
New Jersey’s larger Smart Growth agenda because it helps
to promote the growth of businesses and residential population
around existing (or planned) transportation infrastructure
investments. Its aim is to reduce traffic congestion and improve
air quality by promoting increased transit ridership, pedestrian
activity and bicycle use. In addition, goals of economic revitalization
and growth of housing stock are part of an overall effort
to create vibrant, fun and exciting areas around major transit
nodes.
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