Department of Transportation


New Jersey Future In Transportation

NJ TRANSIT Villages and Hubs

Rahway Transit photo
Rahway Transit
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 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

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



Last updated date: October 10, 2019 1:53 PM