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In building successful places in which people will want to live, community developers need to consider many factors. One of these, which is sometimes overlooked, is the issue of transportation. Access to public transit is a big part of success in community development. Express service to the central business district, dedicated bus lanes or High Occupancy Vehicle lanes so that transit vehicles are not stuck in traffic, and comfortable, safe transit shelters all have a role to play. Successful transit planning involves getting public transit authorities involved early in the planning stages, so that transit planning is optimized. Another success factor in solving parking and traffic issues has to do with transportation resource allocation. One of the current trends in city planning is "Smart Growth," a collection of development strategies used to reduce sprawl and consequently reduce traffic congestion and air pollution. Developments that meet these criteria can receive additional support.

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IN BUILDING SUCCESSFUL places in which people will want to live, community developers need to consider many factors. One of these, which is sometimes overlooked, is the issue of transportation.

If residents have trouble getting around because public transit service is infrequent or not easily accessible, if roads are too busy or crowded and parking is scarce, the result can be hard-to-sell housing units, blank storefronts and empty public spaces.

In many cases, parking and traffic problems can result if developers or planners leave these considerations until it is too late, or do not give them high enough priority.

Why Access to Public Transit Is Vital

Access to public transit is a big part of success in community development. It makes the development attractive to a wider range of people-including both those who do not have cars and those who, while they have cars, will use public transit if the challenges of fighting traffic and finding parking are greater than the discomfort of waiting for a bus or train. What will help coax car owners out of their vehicles and onto public transit are reliability and convenience. Express service to the central business district, dedicated bus lanes or High Occupancy Vehicle lanes so that transit vehicles are not stuck in traffic, and comfortable, safe transit shelters all have a role to play. Public transit accessibility also supports mandates for providing low-income housing.

Sufficient access to public transit is also important to retailers, employers, restaurant operators and others whose vote of confidence is vital to the success of a community-particularly to the success of a mixed-use development. Commercial interests will feel greater confidence in the future of a community if it is served not just with regular local bus stops but with other substantial public facilities and investment: e.g., light or heavy rail systems or Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) stations. Not only will commercial interests be provided a wider possible range of customers, but it will also be easier for their own workers to reach their establishment. Good transit access can also help a community meet environmental objectives by reducing pollution from vehicle exhaust.

Successful transit planning involves getting public transit authorities involved early in the planning stages, so that transit planning is optimized. Providing transit planners with good projections on the numbers of riders will help them develop solutions that contribute to a development's success.

Sharing the Available Resources

Another success factor in solving parking and traffic issues has to do with transportation resource allocation.

In many cases, parking and traffic planning involves sharing a limited resource. Take, for example, a typical street with retail shops and restaurants on both sides. Commuters may want as much street width as possible available to vehicular traffic, other interest groups may want part of a lane dedicated to cyclists, transit planners may want a bus lane or space for light rail transit, merchants may want on-street parking, a community group wants wider sidewalks with park benches and trees ... the list goes on.

Successful planners and developers are able to find the right balance of transportation alternatives. Sometimes there are "enlarge the pie" alternatives. A bicycle lane might be put onto a side street, or a parking garage may be built to meet the merchants' need for parking facilities. In other cases, a solution to one problem may help solve another problem. For example, if a street has too much fast traffic that endangers pedestrians, on-street parking can provide "traffic calming," causing drivers to slow down. Cars moving in and out of curb parking spaces can result in reduced travel speeds, and parked cars can act as a buffer between pedestrians and moving traffic.

Getting Stakeholders Involved

In many cases, finding solutions means compromise: creating a set of options that works for the greatest number of people, realizing that not everyone will get all of what they asked for.

Typically, it's most effective to start early. Many developments run into opposition because planners held consultations with community groups and government leaders after plans were fully formed. People affected by the development were presented with the completed plans and asked to give their approval. Planners should instead consult with project stakeholders early in the planning process. This can help identify priority planning objectives and development opportunities that have been identified in pre-existing plans for the area. Early consultation can also help uncover existing neighborhood issues and potential constraints. The development can then be designed in such a way as to help meet community objectives without adversely impacting any existing traffic or parking problems.

Involving the stakeholders early in the process can take several forms, including community meetings at which changes are discussed, and at which the concerns of interest groups are also taken into account. This sort of early interaction may even lead to ways in which a development can actually improve current transportation problems. For example: if a nearby commercial district or residential community is handicapped by a parking shortage, the development may be designed with extra parking spaces and shared parking capabilities. The development planning process might also provide an opportunity for transit operation improvements or adjustments to traffic signal timings.

With early consultation, planners can change the community mindset from "us versus them" to a partnership in which they and community representatives work together to resolve issues.

Not Just Growth, but Smart Growth

One of the current trends in city planning is "Smart Growth," a collection of development strategies used to reduce sprawl and consequently reduce traffic congestion and air pollution. Developments that meet these criteria can receive additional support. In the State of Maryland, for example, designated Smart Growth projects may be eligible for benefits ranging from capital spending and specific program funds to technical assistance and expedited reviews. Also, the state may direct funding for growth-related infrastructure and facilities to these areas.

One of the principles involved in Smart Growth is mixed-use development. For example, a housing complex that also includes space for retail, food service, office space, and entertainment destinations allows more people to work, shop, play and live in one area so that they are less dependent on cars. Besides a variety of land-use projects, community planners should also look into having a range of transportation options. This can include providing easy, safe access for people to walk to destinations through wide sidewalks and pleasant walking spaces. Consider bicycle routes, racks and lockers to encourage bicycle usage.

Working closely with the stakeholders and considering all aspects of their needs - including good parking and transit planning-can help both plan and build a successful community.