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Urban Densities and Transit: A Multi-dimensional Perspective

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  • Cervero, Robert
  • Guerra, Erick

Abstract

This paper investigates the relationship between transit and urban densities in the United States. An analysis of light rail systems finds that a residential density of about 30 people per gross acre near stations is needed to in order to make them among the top 25 percent of rail transit investments in terms of cost effectiveness; for heavy rail systems, the density is 45 people per gross acre. Increasing density around stations would greatly increase ridership, particularly when jobs are located within one-quarter mile of the stations and housing is located within one-half mile. Stakeholders in the small city of Stockton found high levels of density unacceptable, and supported transit improvements, such as bus rapid transit, only when there would be no impact on private vehicle traffic.

Suggested Citation

  • Cervero, Robert & Guerra, Erick, 2011. "Urban Densities and Transit: A Multi-dimensional Perspective," Institute of Transportation Studies, Research Reports, Working Papers, Proceedings qt3mb598qr, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Berkeley.
    • Handle: RePEc:cdl:itsrrp:qt3mb598qr
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    File URL: https://www.escholarship.org/uc/item/3mb598qr.pdf;origin=repeccitec
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Reid Ewing & Robert Cervero, 2010. "Travel and the Built Environment," Journal of the American Planning Association, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 76(3), pages 265-294.
    2. Ian W. H. Parry & Kenneth A. Small, 2009. "Should Urban Transit Subsidies Be Reduced?," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 99(3), pages 700-724, June.
    3. Guerra, Erick & Cervero, Robert & Tischler, Daniel, 2011. "The Half-Mile Circle: Does It Represent Transit Station Catchments?," University of California Transportation Center, Working Papers qt0d84c2f4, University of California Transportation Center.
    4. Guerra, Erick & Cervero, Robert & Tischler, Daniel, 2011. "The Half-Mile Circle: Does It Best Represent Transit Station Catchments?," University of California Transportation Center, Working Papers qt9jd6r1t9, University of California Transportation Center.
    5. Cervero, Robert, 1994. "Transit-based housing in California: evidence on ridership impacts," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 1(3), pages 174-183, June.
    6. Guerra, Erick & Cervero, Robert & Tischler, Daniel, 2011. "The Half-Mile Circle: Does It Best Represent Transit Station Catchments?," University of California Transportation Center, Working Papers qt68r764df, University of California Transportation Center.
    7. Zhan Guo & Asha Agrawal & Jennifer Dill, 2011. "Are Land Use Planning and Congestion Pricing Mutually Supportive?," Journal of the American Planning Association, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 77(3), pages 232-250.
    8. Erick Guerra & Robert Cervero, 2011. "Cost of a Ride," Journal of the American Planning Association, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 77(3), pages 267-290.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Saad AlQuhtani & Ardeshir Anjomani, 2021. "Do Rail Transit Stations Affect the Population Density Changes around Them? The Case of Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-21, March.
    2. Kwon, Kihyun & Akar, Gulsah, 2022. "People with disabilities and use of public transit: The role of neighborhood walkability," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
    3. Gelauff, George & Ossokina, Ioulia & Teulings, Coen, 2019. "Spatial and welfare effects of automated driving: Will cities grow, decline or both?," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 121(C), pages 277-294.
    4. Orsi, Francesco, 2018. "How densely populated and green are the places we live in? A study of the ten largest US cities," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 300-316.
    5. Kılkış, Şiir, 2015. "Exergy transition planning for net-zero districts," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 92(P3), pages 515-531.
    6. Forouhar, Amir, 2022. "Rail transit station and neighbourhood change: A mixed-method analysis with respect to neighbourhood context," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    7. Tscharaktschiew, Stefan & Reimann, Felix, 2021. "On employer-paid parking and parking (cash-out) policy: A formal synthesis of different perspectives," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 499-516.
    8. André de Palma & Alexandre Guimard, 2014. "Urbanism, an overview," Working Papers hal-00969574, HAL.
    9. Ryan, Jean & Wretstrand, Anders & Schmidt, Steven M., 2015. "Exploring public transport as an element of older persons' mobility: A Capability Approach perspective," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 105-114.

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