Research Reports
Report Details

Title:	Transit and Small Urban Sprawl
Authors:	Del Peterson
Publication Date:	Oct 2009
Report #:	DP-217
TRID #:	01152668
Keywords:	bus transit, case studies, demand, financing, land use planning, local government, public transit, questionnaires, real estate development, small cities, transit operating agencies, urban sprawl
Type:	Research Report – Department Publications

Abstract

Small urban sprawl has resulted in new housing developments and business centers that have never been served by transit. Unfortunately, transit agencies are often not included in the land development process within small urban communities. The objectives of this study were to determine what steps small urban transit providers are currently taking to integrate transit service into sprawling communities, and to determine what can be done to improve relationships with local governments during the land development planning process. Many transit agencies indicated they are involved in land-use planning within their metro area while others had specific communication methods to follow. However, there were also many small urban communities who indicated they were not involved in land-use planning and had no communication with local city planners. Involvement was found to vary widely from one community to the next. Transit agency representatives felt the best way to integrate transit within new developments was to be present during the development planning process. However, only four of 13 questionnaire respondents indicated they felt sufficient demand existed for fixed-route transit within their new developments. This indicates that even though they might have been involved in planning, new developments are often built at such low densities that implementing new service there would not be feasible.