Transit-Oriented Development

Transit-oriented development (TOD) is compact, mixed use development within an easy walk of a transit station. Its pedestrian-oriented design encourages residents and workers to drive their cars less and ride mass transit more. These "transit villages" are usually moderate to high density, matching the existing scale of development, and can be new construction or redevelopment. Mixed uses include residential, commercial, and office, or some combination.

SEPTA TOD Policy Research

Read more about strategies and steps that SEPTA can employ to enhance its support for TOD, including as an advocate, stakeholder, and partner.

    Local Trip Generation Adjustments for TOD

    This study analyzes vehicle trip and parking generation rates at 13 mid-level apartment buildings throughout the Philadelphia urban area, to assess vehicle trip reduction benefits of TOD rail sites vs non-rail sites. The data show a clear vehicle trip reduction benefit to suburban TOD development during the AM peak hour. To gain a more complete understanding of travel behavior, the next household travel survey conducted by DVRPC will collect more detailed information to further study TOD trip generation.

      Progress on TOD

      Building on our Strengths Building on our Strengths

      The sheer number of transit stations in our region can make planning for TOD a daunting task. DVRPC has developed a rating system that evaluates a number of physical, demographic, and economic characteristics in order to help identify TOD opportunities throughout the region. These ratings are designed to provide public officials, planners, transit operators, developers, and citizens with resources that can help public and private investment at rail stations.

      Smart Growth Project Database Smart Growth Project Database

      Stay up to date on development activity near transit by using DVRPC's new Smart Growth Project Database. This online database tracks proposed, in progress, and completed development projects near the region's rail stations. New information on existing projects and new developments will be added to the database as it becomes available.

      DVRPC's 2007 Study, On Track: Progress Towards Transit-Oriented Development in the Delaware Valley, is an evaluation of progress towards TOD at individual rail (and some bus) stations within the nine-county region. Progress can include a completed or in-progress TOD plan, a grant to study or implement TOD, development interest in the station area, and/or a proposed or completed TOD.

        In 2003, DVRPC summarized the top transit-oriented development opportunities at 45 transit stations in the region.

          Municipalities with TOD Zoning Ordinances

          See which municipalities in the region have zoning that supports TOD.

          map thumbnailMunicipal Adoption of Smart Growth Tools: Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Ordinance

          DVRPC TOD Plans

          Learn more about specific station area plans.

            Funding for TOD

              Demographics of Transit Zones

                Transit Revitalization Investment District

                Creating a Transit Revitalization Investment District is one way that Pennsylvania municipalities can plan and implement TOD. A form of value capture, it enables municipalities and the transit agency to share in the incremental increase in new tax revenues in a defined district. These revenues are used to finance capital projects and maintenance in the TRID.

                TCDI-Funded TOD Plans

                The following transit-oriented development plans were funded by the Transportation and Community Development Initiative (TCDI) program.

                Other TOD Plans in Region (not prepared or funded by DVRPC)