TOD and Carsharing: A Natural Marriage

The issue of increased traffic congestion in areas with Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) due to dense development and the need for parking despite higher transit use. The city should integrate carsharing options within TODs to reduce the necessity for personal vehicle ownership and parking demand, and allow developers to substitute shared-car parking spaces for multiple private parking spaces. This policy relates to urban planning, environmental sustainability, and transportation management by potentially reducing vehicle miles traveled (VMT), greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting smart growth. Examples from Zurich show that combining world-class transit, carsharing, and parking limits can enhance quality of life. The Greenprint project in Richmond, California, aims to cut carbon emissions significantly through such integrated approaches.