Transit Oriented Development and The Potential for VMT-related Greenhouse Gas Emissions Growth Reduction

Report examining the greenhouse gas reduction potential of transit oriented development (TOD). This report calculates potential reductions in carbon emissions associated with household vehicle travel and offers growth strategies for planners attending to urban form and access to transit (fixed rail) and reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Transit-oriented development-- a mix of residential and commercial development within walking distance of public transportation --can play a substantial part in reducing greenhouse gas emissionsThis study shows that in the Chicago Metropolitan Region, households in neighborhoods within a half mile of public transportation have 43 percent lower transportation-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from auto use than households living in the average location in the Chicago Metropolitan Region. Households living in a downtown – which typically have the highest concentration of transit, jobs, housing, shopping and other destinations – have 78 percent lower emissions. While this study focuses on the Chicago Metropolitan Area, similar household behavior is observed in other metropolitan area, and is predicted to result in similar reductions.