11/19/09
Existing Research on Transit
Contents:
Building Transit Campaigns……………………………………………………………1
Funding Transit…………………………………………………………………………1
Transit and the Economy……………………………………………………………….4
Housing and TOD………………………………………………………………………6
Transit and the Environment……………………………………………………………8
Case Studies…………………………………………………………………………….9
Other……………………………………………………………………………………11
Building Transit Campaigns
Center For Transportation Excellence
“Building Communities through Public Transportation: A Guide to Successful Transit Initiatives”
Funding Transit
APTA
“APTA Primer on Transportation Funding: The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users, and Other Related Laws, FY 2004-FY 2009.” 2009
SAFETEA-LU is the current authorizing law which establishes authority to appropriate General Revenues and to spend trust fund monies through limitations on obligations, for highways and transit, on an annual basis from Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 through FY 2009. It includes a detailed explanation of SAFETEA-LU and historical federal transit funding levels.
APTA
“Challenge of State and Local Funding Constraints on Transit Systems: Effects on Service, Fares, Employment, and Ridership: Survey Results” 2009
This report is intended to provide a national perspective on the extent to which systems are facing declining revenues and the effect these changes in revenue are having on system operations. This report is based on a survey of APTA transit agency members conducted in May of 2009 and focuses on actions taken within the past year.
APTA
“Impacts of the Recession on Public Transportation Agencies” (2010)
Public transportation agencies across the United States are in the midst of unprecedented budgetary challenges as a result of the current recession. Transit agencies have been forced to cut service, lay off employees, raise fares, slow capital improvements and take many other actions to survive. More troubling is that this comes at a time when transit use is at near modern record levels. This report, based on a March 2010 survey, provides a national perspective on the extent to which the current recession is affecting public transit agencies and the tens of millions of Americans who use their services.
American Public Transportation Association
“Public Transportation Investment Background Data” 2009
ortation_Investment_Background_Data.pdf
This report assembles in one place brief answers for those questions which APTA is most frequently asked for background data about investment in transit with references to sources with more detailed information. Investment questions focus on transit financing: where do transit funds come from, how does the funding process work, how dependable are the funding sources, what do transit funds buy, and what level of funding does the transit industry need to meet the Nation's transportation needs?
APTA
“The Case for Business Investment in Public Transit” (2009)
This report focuses on key issues critical to private investors as they consider investments or future expansion into the public transportation industry. Investment questions typically focus on transit financing, sources, process, and dependability, funding targets for investments, and funding needs.
Center for Transportation Excellence
“Transportation Finance at the Ballot Box: Voters Support Increased Investment and Choices” 2006
This report offers details on transportation measures at the ballot box over the last five years and insights into the total number of measures, level of investment, and overall win-loss ratios; the types of projects voters have indicated a willingness to support; the different types of measures that have been considered, including the varying types of financing measures considered; and anecdotal evidence as to why voters seem to be supporting these measures, including information from exit polls and other resources.
DC Surface Transit, Inc., The Brookings Institute
“Value Capture and Tax-Increment Financing Options for Streetcar Construction” (2009)
(Found on Reconnecting America Center for TOD site)
D.C. Surface Transit commissioned the Brookings Institution to look at funding alternatives for a proposed streetcar. Brookings then subcontracted with Reconnecting America for assistance. Out of that collaboration came “Value Capture and Tax-Increment Financing Options for Streetcar Construction.” The study shows it is hypotheticaly possible to forgo federal funding and fully pay construction costs ($140 million) using three value-capture tools.
Georgia Transit Association
“Transit in Georgia: Analysis and Recommendations” 2008
The Georgia Transit Association (GTA), as the representative for Georgia’s rural and urban public transit systems, is pleased to offer this briefing paper that summarizes our state’s transit investment, provides recommendations to improve mobility and enhance transit’s ability to provide alternatives to the single occupant vehicle, and presents some opportunities for the IT3 Partnership to consider as it devises policy recommendations for possible legislative action.
FTA
Annual Report on New Starts
The New Starts Report details the status, financing, and characteristics of new start and extension projects in the federal funding "pipeline" that have reached at least the preliminary engineering stage in the funding application process. Prepared as background material for the Congress to make funding allocation decisions, the report is highly detailed.
FTA
“Funding by State” Spreadsheets 2009
Downloadable FTA spreadsheets for years 2004-2009 outlining the amount of FTA funding for each state
FTA
“Transit and Congestion Pricing: A Primer” 2009
Minnesota DOT
“Study of Transportation Long-Range Funding Solutions” Dec. 2009
The purpose of the Study of Transportation Long-Range Funding Solutions is to identify and evaluate options for transportation funding in Minnesota during the next 20 years. As directed by the Minnesota Legislature, the study investigates the ability of existing sources of revenue to meet current and future transportation needs. The study includes state trunk highways, Greater Minnesota transit and Twin Cities metropolitan area transit. Freight movements outside the trunk highway system and other modes of transportation such as air, water and intercity bus and rail are not included. This study builds on previous Minnesota Department of Transportation and Metropolitan Council plans as well as the work of two national commissions that have examined the issue of long-term funding for transportation. You can also view the MDOT chart showing possible funding mechanisms evaluated based on various criteria.
Reconnecting America Center for TOD
“Capturing the Value of Transit”
Over the past decade, it has become increasingly clear that the presence of transit can increase property values and result in valuable development opportunities. In this era of constrained transit funding and widespread demand for new and expanded transit systems, policy makers, transit planners and elected officials are increasingly interested in harnessing a portion of the value that transit confers to surrounding properties to fund transit infrastructure or related improvements in station areas. This idea, known as “value capture,” is much discussed in planning, transit, and local government circles. However, confusion abounds. Where does the value come from? What is the best way to measure it? And, most importantly, what is the best way to capture this value?
Those are the questions addressed in "Capturing the Value of Transit," a new report by Reconnecting America's Center for Transit-Oriented Development.
Reconnecting America Center for TOD
“Financing Transit-Oriented Development in the San Francisco Bay Area: Policy Options and Strategies” 2008
The Center for Transit-Oriented Development prepared this white paper to help the Metropolitan Transportation Commission consider alternative methods for providing regional funding for transit-oriented development in the San Francisco Bay Area. The report outlines the need for such a funding source, case examples of other Metropolitan Planning Organization programs, and key considerations in implementing a new program targeted to this purpose.
Transit Cooperative Research Program
“Local and Regional Funding Mechanisms for Public Transportation” 2009
A database to accompany this report is available at:
U.S. PIRG
“A Better Way to Go: Meeting America’s 21st Century Transportation Challenges with Modern Public Transit” 2008
Better-Way-to-Go-vUSPIRG.pdf
U.S. PIRG
“Finding Solutions to Fund Transit: Combining Accountability and New Resources for World-Class Public Transportation” 2007
U.S. PIRG
“Why and How to Fund Public Transportation” 2009
How-to-Fund-Public-Transportation.pdf
Transit and the Economy
APTA
“Public Transportation Gets Our Economy Moving” 2009
A one-pager
APTA
“Public Transportation: Moving America Forward” (2010)
This overview highlights the many benefits of public transportation for individuals and communities. The economic, environmental and social benefits of public transit are detailed. It includes the latest statistics and examples to illustrate the benefits.
APTA
“Riding Public Transit Saves Individuals $9,190 Annually: Yearly Transit Savings Over $250 Higher Than This Time Last Year” 2009
A media advisory with a table of annual savings by city
Brookings Institute
“Assessing Federal Employment Accessibility Policy: An Analysis of the JARC Program” (2008)
chez/0221_transportation_sanchez.pdf
Chicago Metropolis 2020
“Time is Money: The Economic Benefits of Transit Investment” 2007
Economic Development Research Group: Prepared for APTA
“Job Impacts of Spending on Public Transportation: An Update” 2009
Transit%20Job-final%204%2029%2009.pdf
Environment America
“Refueling and Rebuilding America through Investment in Transportation”
CPw/Refueling-America-through-investment-in-Transportation.pdf
HDR/HLB Decision Economies: Prepared for APTA
“The Optimal Supply and Demand for Urban Transit in the United States” 2008
ment%20Final.pdf
ICF International
“Public Transportation and Petroleum Savings in the U.S.: Reducing Dependence on Oil” (2007)
(Found on the APTA website)
This Independent analysis looks for the first time at what public transportation saves—both for individual households and for the nation as a whole. In addition, it explores a possible future where many more Americans would have the choice to take public transportation. APTA commissioned the report from ICF International.
Natural Resources Defense Council
“Fighting Oil Addiction: Ranking State’s Oil Vulnerability and Solutions for Change” 2009
Reconnecting America Center for TOD
"Jumpstarting the Transit Space Race: How the New Administration Could Make America Energy-Independent, Create Jobs and Keep the Economy Strong" (2009)
"Jumpstarting the Transit Space Race: How the New Administration Could Make America Energy-Independent, Create Jobs and Keep the Economy Strong" documents the interest in transit projects around the U.S., and calculates the investment required to build all the proposed new lines. The report concludes that a transit building program not unlike the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act after World War II would help address many of the challenges facing this country -- from rising gas prices to climate change -- and it would create jobs.
Reconnecting America Center for TOD
“Transit + Employment: Increasing Transit’s Share of the Commute Trip” 2008
Surface Transportation Policy Partnership (STTP)
“Driven to Spend: Pumping Dollars out of Our Households and Communities” 2005
Report.pdf
A look at the cost of driving for households
Transform
“Windfall for All: How Connected, Convenient Neighborhoods Can Protect Our Climate and Safegaurd California’s Economy” 2009
Victoria Transport Policy Institute
“Evaluating Public Transit Benefits and Costs: Best Practices Guidebook” 2009
Victoria Transport Policy Institute
“Raise my Taxes, Please!: Evaluating Houselhold Savings from High Quality Public Transit Services,” 2010
Housing and TOD
Reconnecting America Center for TOD
“2007 Demand Estimate Update” 2007
The Center for TOD has updated its market demand estimate for the number of households likely to be looking to rent or buy housing near transit, from 14.6 million households by 2025 to 15.2 million households by 2030. These numbers are more than double the number of households who live near transit today. Meeting this demand would necessitate building 2,000 housing units near every station in the U.S. The earlier demand estimate was released in our landmark TOD market study 'Hidden in Plain Sight: Capturing the Demand for Housing Near Transit' in 2004. The numbers were updated for 2030 in order to be consistent with the time horizon of many regional transportation and land use planning efforts underway, as well as to account for the construction of new fixed-guideway systems.
Reconnecting America Center for TOD
“Destinations Matter: Building Transit Success” (2009)
The Center for Transit Oriented Development has just released a paper, "Destinations Matter: Building Transit Success," that analyzes the performance of 19 transit lines to better understand the factors contributing to high ridership. Of the 19 lines examined, seven exceeded projections, eight are on track to beat projections, and two did not meet projections, while data for three was unavailable. The conclusion: that connecting destinations is key, and that the funding decision-making process needs to take into consideration a fuller range of factors that enhance ridership.
Reconnecting America Center for TOD
“Mixed-Income Housing Near Transit: Increasing Affordability with Location Efficiency” (2009)
The TOD 201 booklet "Mixed-Income Housing Near Transit: Increasing Affordability With Location Efficiency" discusses how providing for a mix of incomes in walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods near transit improves the already considerable benefits of having mixed-income neighborhoods by significantly reducing transportation costs.
Reconnection America, National Housing Trust
“Preserving Opportunities: Saving Affordable Housing Near Transit” 2008
In this study, Reconnecting America and the National Housing Trust identified federally assisted affordable housing located in close proximity to existing or proposed public transportation in 8 cities: Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, New York City, Portland, St. Louis, and Seattle. We also give recommendations in this short brief.
Reconnecting America Center for TOD
“Realizing the Potential: Expanding Housing Opportunities Near Transit” 2007
This new national study funded by the Federal Transit Administration and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development shows that location matters a great deal when it comes to reducing household costs. While families who live in auto-dependent neighborhoods spend an average of 25 percent of their household budget on transportation, families who live in transit-rich neighborhoods spend just 9 percent, the study says. The report examines five case study regions – Boston, Charlotte, Denver, Minneapolis, and Portland -- to better understand the proactive strategies being undertaken to create and preserve affordable housing near transit.
Reconnecting America Center for TOD
"Realizing the Potential: One Year Later: Housing Opportunity for Transit in a Changing Market," 2009
The Center for Transit-Oriented Development has updated its “Realizing the Potential: Expanding Housing Opportunities Near Transit” study for the FTA and HUD, which assessed strategies to promote mixed-income housing along five transit corridors in Boston, Charlotte, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Denver and Portland. The new study, "Realizing the Potential: One Year Later," finds the downturn in the housing market is playing out very differently in the five regions, and that it hasn’t increased home ownership opportunities for working families.
Reconnecting America Center for TOD
“Station Area Planning: How to Make Great Transit-Oriented Places” 2008
“Station Area Planning: How To Make Great Transit-Oriented Places” is the first in a series of “TOD 202” guidebooks to promote best practices in transit-oriented development. This 24-page manual follows publication of our TOD 101 booklet “Why Transit-Oriented Development and Why Now?” and is intended to help simplify the complex decisions that surround planning for TOD projects and station areas by providing details about the scales of development likely to occur in different places, station area planning principles, and TOD plan checklists. The intent is to help all the planning partners better understand the potential outcomes at the beginning of the planning process. The ultimate goal is to facilitate the creation of high-performing TOD projects and great neighborhoods.
Reconnecting America Center for TOD
“The Mixed-Income Housing TOD Action Guide” 2009
As TOD planning processes proliferate there is a broader understanding that mixed-income housing supports many TOD goals including stable transit ridership, better public health, broadened access to opportunities, and deeper affordability. This Mixed-Income TOD Action Guide was developed for the nonprofit Great Communities Collaborative (GCC), which is working in the San Francisco Bay Area to ensure TOD planning processes result in neighborhoods that include households of all income levels. The guide “walks” users through a three-step analysis to determine the most effective strategies and tools
Transit and the Environment
APTA
“Public Transportation’s Contribution to U.S. Greenhouse Gas Reduction” 2007
This report answers how much net C02 public transportation is saving in the U.S., how much additional C02 savings are possible if loads are increased,what is the significance of non-public transportation commuter use and what can households do to save more, and finally are there favorable land use impacts that public transportation contributes to the environment and social benefits?
Environment America
“Getting on Track: Record Transit Ridership Increases Energy Independence” 2009
ng-On-Track---Transit-Increases-Energy-Independence-9-22-09.pdf
This report details the dramatic growth of public transportation in 2008, and the corresponding energy and environmental benefits. These details are viewed in light of fewer miles driven in most states last year. It also documents transit growth across the country continuing into this year, highlights future potential benefits and outlines ways to improve the state of public transportation.
Environmental Defense Fund
Manufacturing Climate Solutions: Carbon-Reducing Technologies and U.S. Jobs. “Public Transit Buses: A Greener Choice Gets Greener” 2009