Quality Growth Toolbox Transportation & Land Use

QUALITY GROWTH TOOLBOX

Transportation and Land Use Planning for Quality Growth

Linking land use and transportation planning can provide an integrated framework to guide growth and development

• Regional traffic currently relies primarily on interstate travel

• Total miles traveled are continuing to increase

• Increasing congestion is beginning to affect the livability and desirability of communities

Nashville MPO Counties

A collaborative effort in developing land use plans and supporting transportation systems will result in:

• Improved community livability• More efficient use of the existing

infrastructure• Improved economic vitality• Sustainability• Improved health

Density – the intensity of development – influences travel by:

• Concentrating people and services in limited area near transportation

• Increased demand makes alternative modes more cost effective

• Increase pedestrian, bicycle and transit systems

• Lower auto ownership, fewer and shorter vehicle trips

Relationship Between Land Use and Transportation – Density, Diversity & Design

Diversity – the mix of different types of land uses – influences travel by:

• Concentrating different land uses in close proximity

• Jobs, services, recreation, schools and everyday needs within shorter travel distances

• Promotes trip linking and on-site capture of trips

• Place making


Design – the design and pattern of the built environment – influences travel by:

• Creates attractive, comfortable and secure pedestrian environments

• Creates places that attract people who linger and drive less

• Results in well-connected transportation systems

• Creates visual interest and encourages walking


The region has arterials with redevelopment potential, like this example:

E14th Corridor - San Leandro, CA Source: Steve Price, Community, Design + ArchitectureE14th Corridor - San Leandro, CA Source: Steve Price, Community, Design + Architecture

Traditional Arterial…


Arterial with Signal, Streetscape and Pedestrian Modifications…


Arterial with Pedestrian, Bike, and Infill / Mixed-Use Redevelopment…3D’s Applied…

Optimize Existing Transportation Systems first

Recognize and Use the Goals of Adopted Land Use Plans

Work with Existing Agencies to Coordinate Land Use and Transportation Planning

Adopt Design Guidelines Develop Good Plans and

Follow them

Toolbox pg. 128

Encourage Development of Vacant Land and Reuse of Older Sites

Strengthen Downtowns Promote Concentrated

Activity Centers and Corridors

Promote Good Site Design

Provide a Balanced Transportation System that Creates Choices

Toolbox pg. 130

Community and Corridor Tools: Traffic signal improvements Better signage Advanced traffic control systems Pedestrian traffic safety at

intersections and crossings Street retro-fit (e.g., road diets)

Toolbox pg. 132

Transportation Operations

Source: TJPDC, VDoT, City of Charlottesville, & Albemarle Co.CD+A, Meyer, Mohaddes, & Urban Advantage



Community and Corridor Tools:

Intelligent transportation systems

Improve freeway bottlenecks Plan for Bus Rapid Transit Develop Local Corridor

Specific Access Management Policies

Develop Traffic Impact Study Guidelines

Travel Demand Management Establish Transportation

Management Associations

Toolbox pg. 132

Transportation Operations

Integration of Land Use and Transportation Plans

Toolbox pg. 139


Adopt design guidelines Update subdivision

regulations Consider Adequate

Facilities Ordinance Modify Existing Zoning Transit Oriented

Development (TOD)

Toolbox pg. 141

DesignBenefits:

Reduced automobile dependence

Livable streets Enhanced community

identity Increased economic

development Increased transit use Increased walking and

biking Improved health Reduced environmental

impacts Distinctive and appealing

places Efficient, convenient

provision of daily needs

Design

Toolbox pg. 142


Develop communitywide connectivity plans

Develop public parking strategies in downtowns and infill areas

Develop flexible parking standards and practices

Integrate traffic management into neighborhood design

Design

Toolbox pg. 146


Integrate transit into new development

Encourage a diversity of development types New urbanism Mixed-use development Infill development Transit-oriented

development

Develop Context Sensitive Design Guidance

Toolbox pg. 149


Toolbox pg. 150

Context Zones and Thoroughfare Types


Toolbox pg. 158

Pedestrian Oriented Site and Building Design

Tools for Site Design

Toolbox pg. 159

Land use Building orientation and

setback Parking type and

orientation Block length Avoid “walled” projects

Harbortown Memphis, TN

Tools for Building Design

Toolbox pg. 160

Building height and street enclosure

Building architecture Building entries Streetscape

McLemore Avenue, Soulsville, Memphis, TN: Steve Price, UrbanAdvantageMcLemore Avenue, Soulsville, Memphis, TN: Steve Price, UrbanAdvantage

Example: McLemore Avenue






Example: Corridor Planning in the Nashville Area MPO NE Corridor

• High growth corridor• Solutions go beyond responding to

unconstrained development growth• Major Investment Study integrates land

use and transportation• Evaluates series of development

patterns• Identifies transportation system to best

fit the desired land use pattern• Balance between:

– Effective land use patterns– Highway / roadway capacity– High-performance transit

• Results in local land use policies to implement land use patterns

• Example where all toolbox strategies and tools can be utilized

Quality Growth Toolbox Transportation & Land Use

Education