TDM Toolbox

Mitigation Calculator

Subsector: Land Use
Orient Project Toward Transit, Bicycle, or Pedestrian Facility
VMT Reduction Potential: 2
Cost: 1
ROI: 3
StanCOG Relevancy: 5
Land Use Content: Urban, Suburban, Rural
Trip Type: School, Residential, Commute, Recreation
Scale: Community, Site
Timing: Mid-term (3-10 years)
Implementors-Private: Developers (Employment), Developers (Residential)
Implementors-Public: Municipalities, Regional Agencies
References: California Air Pollution Control Officers Association (2024), StanCOG 2026 RTP/SCS, StanRTA transit planning, Local General Plans, NACTO Walkable Urban Design Guide

Description

Orienting development projects towards transit, bike, or pedestrian facilities enhances visibility and access, promoting the use of these modes over private vehicles.

Implementation Details

 

  • Orient primary building entrances toward public streets, sidewalks, transit stops, and active transportation facilities rather than parking lots.

 

 

  • Provide direct pedestrian connections between building entrances and nearby transit stops, bicycle facilities, and sidewalks.

 

 

  • Locate bicycle parking, micromobility parking, and pedestrian access routes near primary building entrances.

 

 

  • Minimize barriers such as large parking fields, drive aisles, and indirect pedestrian routes between destinations and transportation facilities.

 

 

  • Incorporate pedestrian-scale lighting, wayfinding, and ADA-accessible connections linking development sites to surrounding transportation facilities.

 

Mitigation Potential

Developments oriented towards transit, bicycle, or pedestrian facilities make these modes more visible and accessible. The design choice will encourage walking, biking, or transit use rather than driving. The impact on VMT will vary based on the quality and coverage of active transportation modes. While there are no direct methods for quantifying this at the time, other linked strategies related to bicycle facilities may be used for assessing VMT benefits of bicycle facilities.

Linked Strategies

Equity Considerations

Prioritizing active and transit-oriented access in project siting improves mobility for residents without access to private vehicles, especially in low-income and transit-dependent communities. Equity-focused planning should ensure that sidewalks, crossings, and bikeways near affordable housing and essential services are prioritized for upgrades.

Funding Sources

Project design and site improvements can generally be incorporated into private development costs. Local jurisdictions can provide development incentives, reduced parking requirements, expedited review, or other benefits for projects that orient buildings and site entrances toward transit, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities. Public transportation and active transportation funding can be combined with private development improvements to complete sidewalks, bicycle connections, crossings, transit stops, and other access improvements.

Examples/Case Studies

Seventh Street Village – Downtown Modesto

Seventh Street Village is a strong Stanislaus example because the development combines housing with pedestrian, bicycle, and transit access. The project is located in Downtown Modesto near the Modesto Transit Center and future ACE station and includes bicycle and pedestrian improvements. The project also includes 79 housing units and ground-floor commercial/community uses.

Stanislaus State Bicycle Master Plan – Turlock

Stanislaus State’s Bicycle Master Plan establishes a framework for improving bicycle circulation, bicycle parking, wayfinding, and support facilities throughout the campus. The plan demonstrates how educational, employment, and activity centers can be intentionally designed and improved to support bicycle and pedestrian access as primary transportation options.