NJ TRANSIT
Villages and Hubs
NJ
TRANIST Villages and
Hubs are NJFIT programs
designed to support
Transit-Oriented Development
(TOD). TOD refers to
a compact, mixed-use
neighborhood located
around a transit station.
It is designed to encourage
people to walk, bike
or use mass transit.
TOD has become very
popular in New Jersey
and across the country
because it provides
increased accessibility
- to work, school and
everyday errands -
while reducing auto
dependency, air pollution
and energy consumption.
Studies show that TOD
can reduce automobile
travel by
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Rahway Transit |
20 to 25 percent as compared
to conventional
development. TOD
has also proven to be the
catalyst of community revitalization
by stimulating economic
and social activity and
increasing land values.
TOD is not just for
new development - existing
suburban neighborhoods
can be modified over time
to become transit-oriented,
increasing property values.
Programs such as the Transit
Village Initiative and
Urban Transit Hub Tax Credit
Program are also available
to assist communities who
want to maximize the potential
of their transit stations.
NJFIT encourages communities
to take advantage of their
transit stations and build
compact, mixed-use neighborhoods
to support both transit
and pedestrian activity.
"Approximately
70 percent of
New Jerseyans
live within five
miles of a train
station; and
30 percent within
walking distance." NJFuture
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Prescriptions
Mix residential, office,
institutional and other
land uses
TOD communities should
include homes, shops,
schools, civic institutions
and other amenities within
walking distance of transit.
This encourages the creation
of lively and safe transit-friendly
neighborhoods.
Make streets friendly
to pedestrians and bicyclists
People should be able to
conveniently walk or bike
to surrounding shops and
transit station. Providing
safe streets and adequate
facilities that include
sidewalks, bike lanes and
places to store and lock
bicycles at the station
is necessary.
Build compact development
To justify frequent transit
service and help create
an active street life
with supporting commercial
businesses, TOD requires
a minimum of seven residential
units per acre (or 25
employees per acre in
commercial centers).
Manage parking
Parking facilities should
be used to encourage
more efficient use of
land and more efficient
travel. Parking lots
can be shared between
institutions with different
peak demand hours (such
as restaurants and offices
or schools and theaters).
Strategies to reduce
demand for parking -
charging parking fees
or improving biking and
walking facilities -
should be explored.
Programs
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