Recent research in Denver aimed to provide a more nuanced answer to the question of how light rail and transit-oriented development have contributed to gentrification. Researchers found that residents generally feel positively about changes to the area around the station studied, with age and tenure in the neighborhood correlated to how they feel about the changes. The most common theme in participants’ verbatim responses was improved “accessibility.”
Denver
Parking, ride-hailing, and shifting traveler needs
According to a new study out of Denver, one-quarter of ride-hailing trips replace driving, which reduces the need for parking, particularly at specific land uses. Difficulty parking is also a key reason people are shifting to ride-hailing services, which suggests that places where parking is most difficult or expensive can expect a shift in demand to curbside pickup and drop off.
How Denver and Seattle are working to preserve affordable housing near transit
The Denver and Seattle regions are experiencing a challenge common to a number of cities around the country: despite an influx of transit-oriented development projects, much of that new housing is unaffordable to the people who rely on transit the most. And the people moving in to the TOD projects often don’t use transit.
Why hasn’t Denver seen an increase in transit ridership?
Denver has one of the top transit systems in the west today, thanks to major investments that have drastically expanded the regional transit network over the past decade. Yet these recent investments so far have not translated into a sustained increase in transit ridership or reduced driving in the Denver region. Why?
Bike share programs’ support of transit constrained by FTA funding rules
New bike share programs offer another opportunity to provide better access to public transit, bridging the important “last mile” between trip origins and destinations. In the U.S., however, Federal Transit Administration funding for the installation of bike-sharing stations adjacent to transit services has stalled, in part due to funding eligibility rules. Currently, FTA funds may pay for planning and construction of the bike share station itself, but not the purchase of actual bicycles. Bicycles can be purchased using FHWA funding, however. FTA and USDOT officials have acknowledged the need to change eligibility rules to embrace the rapidly growing demand for bike share, but as yet no changes have been made.
Airports eyed as sites for alternative energy production
A recent report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the FAA, and Mississippi State University examines the use of airports and surrounding areas as ideal locations for the production of alternative energy. Biofuel production and solar arrays seem especially suited to these areas, since they are often open grasslands.
Bike sharing: An on-demand mobility solution
During the National Bike Summit, and the following day at a special session sponsored by FTA and NACTO, local officials and advocates heard about bike sharing best practices, research, funding opportunities, and updates from existing programs.
Bike sharing takes off in America
Cities across the country, from large (Chicago) to small (Spartanburg, SC) have implemented bike sharing programs over the last few years, but 2011 seems to be the year that these programs really took off. Most urban …
Bike sharing takes off in America
Cities across the country, from large (Chicago) to small (Spartanburg, SC) have implemented bike sharing programs over the last few years, but 2011 seems to be the year that these programs really took off. Most urban …