Bus Transit and Land Use: Illuminating the Interaction

Abstract

Attracting people to public transit in urban areas has proven to be a difficult task indeed. Recent research on the transportation–land use connection has suggested that transit use can be increased through transit-friendly land use planning. While significant evidence exists that a relationship between land use and transit is apparent, the exact nature of the relationship remains ambiguous. Despite the murky nature of the relationship, many practitioners and researchers have asserted claims regarding land use policy, namely TOD, and its effect on travel. This article examines the effect of land use, socioeconomics, and bus transit service on transit demand in the Twin Cities. The findings suggest that vertical mixed-use is important close to transit access and retail plays an important role up to a quarter mile from transit service. Population density is more important at a block-group level than block level, suggesting that density adjacent to the line may not play as critical a role as density in the larger surrounding area.