Transit Oriented Design Research

Livability at the Transit Stop

Imageability

Transparency

Enclosure

W. 11th EmX Extension Corridor Existing Amenities Report Prepared for the City of Eugene September 10th , 2014 Sarah Cook, MLA, ASLA, University of Oregon

Human Experience

Vitality

Connectivity

Introduction

Current research on Bus Rapid Transit Systems has identified numerous livability benefits related to economic prosperity, community health and the environment. When combined with land use development BRT systems assist in the creation of more compact, healthier and walkable cities. Studies have demonstrated that BRT systems can substantially decrease Green House Gas Emissions and air pollutants by reducing the number of single occupancy vehicle miles traveled (McDonnell et al., 2008). BRT corridors tend to catalyze the intensification of surrounding land uses contributing to a walkable environment (Hook, 2014).

Compact cities supported by rapid transit show a marked decrease in diseases attributed to sedentary lifestyles including diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases (Frank, 2001). BRT systems improve quality of life through travel time savings. Dedicated bus lanes, efficient pre-paid boarding with at grade platforms that do not require lifts or stairs, all contribute to reduced travel times. The frequency of service decreases customer wait times and allows greater independence for transit riders (LTD, 2010). A recent report by the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy revealed greater investment in new development for every dollar spent on transit infrastructure in 14 cities (Hook, 2014).

Cleveland, Ohio and Kansas City leveraged over 100 times more investment in development per transit dollor spent.

While there is a plethora of transit research dedicated to cost benefit analysis, ridership and environmental impacts there is far less information on how transit infrastructure can improve livability by providing amenities necessary for pedestrian safety, convenience and comfort. In partnership with neighboring land uses transit developments can go beyond purely functional requirements to actuate a public realm which is flourishing, welcoming and perceived as livable.

Sources: LTD, 2010 ; ITDP, 2013

Livability Benefits of W. 11th EmX Extension Accessibility and Safety •

EmX Bus Rapid Transit Infrastructure provides increased safety and accessibility through at grade boarding platforms, improved lighting and safe pedestrian crossings with audible traffic signals.

•

A higher frequency of service provides riders with greater independence.

•

Features of the EmX, such as handrails, ramps and at grade boarding provide universal access.

Demographics and Environmental Equity •

There are over 32,400 residents within the corridor, 6-15% are elderly, 13% are minorities, 8-29% live below the poverty line, and 10-26% are no automobile households.

•

The EmX extension corridor provides increased mobility of people to jobs, services and businesses.

Economic Development •

There is a total of 482.5 acres of combined vacant and redevelopable land within a walkable 1/4 mi radius of the W. 11th corridor from Garfield to Commerce Street.

Studies show that Bus Rapid Transit Systems can improve land use and development along the corridor.

•

A recent report by the Institute for Transportation and Development revealed that Bus Rapid Transit Systems leverage more investment in Transit Oriented Development per dollar spent on transit.

Purpose Environmental Quality •

Due to population growth, increased employment and new development along the corridor there are projected increases in traffic congestion and travel times. The EmX reduces congestion by decreasing the need for single occupancy vehicles and increasing public transit shares of trips. Dedicated bus lanes also reduce congestion by removing buses from traffic lanes.

•

Time saving benefits result from dedicated bus lanes, prioritized traffic signals, at grade boarding, and prepaid fares.

•

Green house gas emissions per person miles traveled are substantially lower with BRT systems than in personal vehicles. An increase in public transit shares of trips would assist the city in meeting energy consumption and emissions goals.

•

Intensification of land use along the corridor and improved pedestrian infrastructure contributes to a more active and livable public realm less dedicated to the movement and temporary storage of automobiles.

Productivity •

Increases in traffic congestion result in longer travel times, decreasing access to and the productivity of businesses. A mode shift to public transit offers a convenient and efficient way to serve businesses.

Sources: LTD, 2010 ; ITDP, 2013

Current practices in traffic engineering design streets for the quick and efficient movement of automobiles. Livable streets have a role as vibrant social spaces which meet the needs of pedestrian mobility and multi-modal forms of transit. The intent of this investigation is to Evaluate existing livability conditions related to transit infrastructure and quality of urban space along the West 11th EmX Extension Corridor. Results for each bus stop are organized into a matrix that illustrates where there are deficiencies in transit infrastructure and pedestrian amenities. To provide a quick overall picture of the corridor, a rank is assigned for each bus stop based on a 5 star rating system. Renderings of an ideal typological bus stop are presented with a checklist of contributions that can be made by both the private and public sectors to generate a livable public realm.

PRODUCTS • Livability evaluation of seven bus stops along the West 11th EmX extension corridor.

• Matrix of findings • Checklist of public and private sector contributions for a livable public realm • Five star ranking for each stop based on weighted urban design and transit components.

• An ideal typological bus stop.

Livability & Transit Stop Design Livability, in terms of this analysis, is defined as the capacity of transit infrastructure and surrounding land uses to provide a safe, comfortable, and attractive environment for pedestrians. Rapid Transit Stop amenities alone provide many essential elements for livability, such as safe pedestrian crossings, seating, cover, and human scaled lighting. Nearby development may further enhance livablity. Buildings which frame the street and afford semi-public or social spaces such as outdoor seating, increase the pedestrian activity at the street level. Elements such as planters, vegetation, and unique architecture create a welcoming attractive atmosphere. Research has demonstrated that well maintained environments with an active streetscape tend to reduce instances of crime and are perceived as more livable (Levine, 1986).

Livability Checklist Pedestrian Amenities

Public Sector

Cover Seating Human Scaled Lighting ADA Ramps ADA Handrails Pedestrian Crossings Accessible Pedestrian Signals Sidewalk Surfaces Maps Time Tables Trash Bins Transparent Ground Floor Windows Bike Racks Hanging Baskets Planters Trees Semi-public and Social Spaces Tables Wayfinding Signage Awnings Benches Bike Routes Unique Architecture

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

x

Private Sector x x

x x x x x x x x x x

x

x

x x

Five Star Bus Stop Pedestrian Amenities 1

Cover

2 Seating 3 Human Scaled Lighting 4 ADA Ramps 5 ADA Handrails 6 Pedestrian Crossings 7 Accessible Pedestrian Signals 8 Sidewalk Surfaces 9 Maps 10 Time Tables 11 Trash Bins 12 Transparent Ground Floor Windows 13 Bike Racks 14 Hanging Baskets 15 Planters

18

13

16 Trees 17 Semi-public and Social Spaces.

18 Tables 16

19 Wayfinding Signage 20 Awnings 21 Benches 22 Bike Routes 23 Unique Architecture

15 13

1

3

9 11 2

5

4

23 20 12

7

17 8 6

Methods This document summarizes findings from a livability audit conducted at seven bus stops along the proposed West 11th EmX Extension (WEEE) corridor. The audit included questions for six categories of urban design qualities known to enhance the perception of livability (Ruggeri, 2013).

• • • • • •

imageability safety enclosure human scale vitality connectivity

The results were distilled into a matrix illustrating the presence of 8 essential and 15 supporting pedestrian amenities for a safe, functional, and livable rapid transit stop and surrounding location. The assessment revealed deficiencies in both the essential and supporting amenities for all of the seven bus stops evaluated. These deficiencies may be met through contributions from both the private and public sector as re-development occurs along W. 11th. A number of the essential amenities, such as ADA ramps, safe pedestrian crossings, cover, seating, and lighting , will be provided as the EmX Extension infrastructure is constructed.

The private sector may further enhance the livability of the West 11th corridor by implementing amenities, contributing to a lively, safe, and successful public realm.

Imageability The Quality of a place that makes it recognizable and memorable.

Transparency, Safety Perceptions, & Maintenance The degree to which people can see human activity beyond the street edge and other environmental cues related to the perception of safety.

Enclosure The degree to which architecture and other vertical elements frame the streetscape.

Human Experience The Presence of pedestrian amenities and the size and articulation of architectural elements.

Vitality Whether a place feels lively, is economically sustained and has a diverse set of land uses.

Connectivity The ability of a system to support easy and uninterrupted pedestrian movement.

Sources: LTD, 2010 ; ITDP, 2013

Location: W. 11th Ave Segment B of the EmX Extension B S. Bertelsen Street

A Commerce Street

C

Fern Ridge Trail and W. 11th

E

Seneca Road

F

F

B

A

D Bailey Hill Road

Mckinley Street

D

C

Oak Patch Road

F

E

G

Findings Bus Stop Location Pedestrian Amenity

Cover Seating Human Scaled Lighting ADA Ramps ADA Handrails Pedestrian Crossings Accessible Pedestrian Signals Sidewalk Surfaces Maps Time Tables Trash Bins Transparent Ground Floor Windows Bike Racks Hanging Baskets Planters Trees Public and Semi Public Spaces Tables Unique Architecture Way Finding Signage Awnings Benches Bike Routes

Total Score Rating

Commerce Streetmmerc

No No No Yes No

S. Bertelsen Road

2 2

Fern Ridge Trail & W. 11th

2 2

2

1 1

1

1

1

1

1

4

1 5

10

1

Bailey Hill Roadmerc

Seneca Road

Oak Patch Road

Mckinley Street

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

1

1

2

key Essential Amenities

1

1

1

1

Supporting Amenities

1-5

7

8

8

7

=

6-10 = 11-15 = 16-23 = 24-31 =

Appendix

Photo Documentation

Commerce Street

S. Bertelsen Street

Fern Ridge Trail and W. 11th

Bailey Hill Road

Seneca Road

Oak Patch Road

Mckinley

Lack of sidewalk connectivity

Lack of seating, cover, sidewalk connectivity, and safe pedestrian crossings

Lack of seating and cover, protection from the elements, and safe distance from fast moving traffic.

No ADA curb ramps or accessible pedestrian signals

References EMBARQ. "Social, Environmental and Economic Impacts of BRT systems, Bus Rapid Transit Case Studies from Around the World.” EMBARQ World Resources Institute. Web. 15 Aug. 2014 Frank, L.D. “The Built Environment and Human Activity Patterns: Exploring the Impacts of Urban Form on Public Health.” Journal of Planning Literature 2 (2001): 202-18. Print Hook, Walter et. al. “More Development for Your Transit Dollar, an Analysis of 21 American Transit Corridors.” Institute for Transportation and Development. Web Aug. 19, 2014 Lane Transit District. “Summary for Alternatives Analysis Report: West Eugene EmX Extension, 2010. Print.

Levine, N. “Crime at Bus Stops - a Study of Environmental Factors, Los Angeles.” Journal of Architectural & Planning Research 4 (1986): 339-61. Print.

Litman, Todd. "Creating safe and healthy communities." Environments 35.3 (2008): 21+. Academic OneFile. Web. 10 Sept. 2014 McDonnell, Simon, Susana Ferreira, and Frank Convery. “Using Bus Rapid Transit To Mitigate Emissions Of CO2 From Transport.”

Transport Reviews 28.6 (2008): 735-756. Business Source Complete.

Web. 10 Sept.

Ruggeri, Deni et al. “Transit Stop to Urbanity Node: Audit for MeasuringLivability at the Transit Stop.” National Institute for Transportation and Communities, 2013. Print

Wilson, James Q. “Making Neighborhoods Safe: Sometimes “fixing Broken Windows” Does More to Reduce Crime than Conventional “incidentoriented” Policing. (community-oriented Policing).” Atlantic 2 (1989): 46. Print