LAKEWOOD—A new
report released today at the Federal Center by two nonprofit groups concluded
that FasTracks would have a much larger impact on traffic than previously estimated
when changes in regional land use patterns associated with transit oriented
development (TOD) are factored in. Previous analysis by the Denver Regional
Council of Governments (DRCOG) only considered the direct impacts of FasTracks
on increasing transit ridership whereas the new report takes into account changes
in transportation patterns caused by increased numbers of mixed urban centers
associated with transit oriented development. The report was released at a news
conference held at the Cold Spring park-n-Ride, which is one of 57 station stops
under FasTracks and the site of large scale potential transit oriented development.
Whereas previous projections
that did not factor in land use changes associated with development near station
stops had estimated a reduction of 474,000 vehicle miles traveled each work
day in the region under FasTracks, the report concluded that 2025 FasTracks
would reduce daily vehicle travel by more than 2.5 million miles each work day,
five times the previous projection. The findings of the report were based on
an earlier analysis of the impact of urban centers on travel demand conducted
by DRCOG as well as from similar decentralized urban center trends in regions
around the country.
“Transit stations would
reduce traffic by encouraging vibrant village centers throughout the region
where people could shop, dine or be entertained without having to drive everywhere,”
said co-author Rich McClintock, program director of the Livable
Communities Support Center, a program of Civic Results. “This report shows
that FasTracks would encourage the kind of smart growth needed to keep the Denver
region livable,” he added.
““FasTracks will reduce
traffic—not only as more people choose transit, but also as station areas become
urban centers where people don’t have to drive as far or as often to get where
they are going,’” said report co-author Elena Nunez, transportation advocate
for Environment Colorado Research and Policy Center.
Other key findings of "Creating
Livable Communities Through Transit" report included the following:
- Despite the recent downturn
in the economy, the state demographer estimated that the Denver region’s population
is projected to increase from an estimated 2.5 million people today to more
than 3.7 million by 2030, an increase of 48 percent.
- FasTracks would create
opportunities for transit oriented communities at more than 50 new station areas
throughout the region, 18 of which would be more than 10 acres in size.
- Transit oriented development
would reduce the overall growth in the amount of vehicle travel in the Denver
region by at least 2.5 million vehicle miles every workday by 2025, more than
five times the savings of transit mode share alone.
- TOD would help the region
realize its MetroVision 2030 plan, saving valuable land and open space. Each
urban center would save over 960 acres of land as a result of more compact development
patterns, lowering the costs of expanded public infrastructure.
- TOD would significantly
raise property values for current residents, small business owners and others
within __ miles of the stations.
- Transit-oriented communities
would offer Denver metro area residents new options for neighborhoods, shopping,
working and lifestyle choices even before the transit lines are completed.
- There is strong consumer
and worker market demand for creating more transit oriented communities. A recent
study by the Center for Transit Oriented Development found that an estimated
88,000 households in the region would choose housing within _ miles of transit
by 2025.
The news conference also
featured additional comments by TOD experts and local officials regarding the
impact of transit oriented development on the region’s livability, including
examples along the West Corridor.
Marilee Utter, President
of the Colorado District Council of the Urban Land Institute, said "Experience
from cities around the world shows us that comprehensive transit systems do
make a world of difference: People do make behavioral changes. Development patterns
do focus. The environment does improve. Congestion is reduced. I can think of
no other investment we could make that would better position the metro area
for long term economic viability."
The Federal Center stop
would be located within an 670 acre area that is now the largest concentration
of federal employees outside of Washington D.C. Carol Garton, Economic Development
Director for Lakewood, stated that “having a rail station at the Federal Center
represents a tremendous opportunity for the western part of the metro Denver
region to recycle land rather than having to keep expanding at the urban edge.”
