"Micropolitan America" And "Essential" Transit Service
Reconnecting America CEO discusses intercity transit in rural America
Reconnecting America's CEO John Robert Smith, a former four-term mayor of Meridian, Miss., and ex-chairman of the board at Amtrak, is among the experts interviewed for an article in the July 13 issue of the Bureau of National Affairs' "Real Estate Law & Industry Report."
In the article entitled "Rural America Wants Mass Transit And Retail May Follow Routes, Experts Say," Smith discusses why transit is not just for urban metropolitan areas but also important in America's "micropolitan world."
The article features Smith; Andrea Mead, deputy secretary for the Department of Housing and Urban Development; and Trisha Miller, director of green communities at Enterprise Community Partners.
The article is available here.
(July 16, 2010)
TOD And Climate Change
Center for Transit-Oriented Development releases quantitative analysis of potential greenhouse gas reductions of transit-oriented development from the transport sector
The Center for Transit-Oriented Development (CTOD) released a report today titled "Transit-Oriented Development and The Potential for VMT-related Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction.” This report provides a quantitative analysis of potential greenhouse gas reductions of transit-oriented development from the transport sector.
(June 29, 2010)
Getting More Jobs From Federal Transportation Dollars
Study finds Transportation for America proposal would generate millions more jobs than current law
Changing federal transportation funding to emphasize repair of existing infrastructure and expansion of public transportation would generate many more jobs than the current law, according to a new report by the Economic Policy Institute.
(June 24, 2010)
American Power Act Will Expand Clean Transportation Options
Climate, energy and transportation linked to reduce oil consumption and decrease emissions
Transportation for America expressed support for key provisions of the Kerry-Lieberman American Power Act as a major endorsement of clean transportation options to spur energy independence and climate protection. Transportation for America, the largest, most diverse coalition working on transportation reform, was co-founded by Reconnecting America and Smartgrowth America.
(May 13, 2010)
Creating Healthy Communities
International Making Cities Livable (IMCL) Movement conference to focus on how to improve children's health and development by improving the built environment
The International Making Cities Livable (IMCL) Movement will holds its 48th Annual Conference in Charleston, SC, from Oct. 17 to 21. Reconnecting America is a sponsor of the conference.
(May 4, 2010)
CTOD Releases TOD Tools For Metropolitan Planning Organizations
Guide highlights best practices related to regulations, funding, information sharing and partnerships
The Center for Transit-Oriented Development (CTOD) has released a guide, “Transit-Oriented Tools for Metropolitan Planning Organizations” to aid Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) in taking a more proactive role in planning and promoting compact growth along transit corridors. Funded through a cooperative agreement between Reconnecting America and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the guide highlights best practices related to regulations, funding, information sharing and partnerships.
(April 12, 2010)
CTOD Creates Citywide Toolkit For TOD In Los Angeles
Report assesses opportunities to improve land use and transportation linkages in communities surrounding 70 existing and planned transit stations
The Center for Transit-Oriented Development (CTOD) has released the "Creating Successful Transit Oriented Districts in Los Angeles: A Citywide Toolkit for Achieving Regional Goals" report, which assesses opportunities to improve land use and transportation linkages in communities surrounding 70 existing and planned transit stations in the City of Los Angeles. The report identifies strategies to help communities around transit stations achieve high transit ridership, increase mixed-income and mixed-use housing opportunities and create sustainable neighborhoods while offering its residents a wealth of travel options.
(March 31, 2010)
T4America Poll Finds Wide Support For Transportation Options
Desire for increased funding for public transportation, safe walking and biking crosses political, geographical lines
Transportation for America today released poll results demonstrating overwhelming American support for increased access to public transportation and safe walking and biking.
(March 30, 2010)
Mixed-Income Transit-Oriented Development Action Guide
FTA and HUD unveil website built by Center for Transit-Oriented Development to help communities create mixed-income housing near transit
The Federal Transit Administration has unveiled a new Mixed-Income Transit-Oriented Development Action Guide created by the Center for Transit-Oriented Development. The guide comes in the form of a website and is the first "publication" by the FTA to be completely paperless. The website can be accessed at www.fta.dot.gov/livability/mitod or directly at mitod.org
(March 29, 2010)
- Press Release · PDF
Is That House As Affordable As You Think?
Only 39 percent of American communities are affordable when transportation costs are considered along with housing
A new analysis by the Center for Neighborhood Technology shows that only two in five American communities — or 39 percent — are affordable for typical households when their transportation costs are considered along with housing costs. CNT is a partner with Reconnecting America and Strategic Economics in the Center for Transit-Oriented Development. CTOD was involved in the initial work to develop the index in cooperation with the Brookings Institution. (See this report.)
(March 24, 2010)
