Evaluating transit Quality of Service for Transit Oriented Development (TOD)

Abstract

Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is widely considered to be an effective form of
sustainable development. TOD can be defined as moderate to higher–density development,
located within an easy walk of a major transit stop, generally with a mix of residential,
employment and shopping opportunities designed for pedestrians, without necessarily
excluding the car. To obtain transport efficiency TOD should be facilitated by high quality frequent transit service and give preference to walking and cycling. It is argued by many authors that this reduces vehicle kilometres travelled (VKT) leading to reduced congestion and pollution.

Past literature lacks an appropriate methodology to properly model travel demand of a TOD, which is proposed as the overall aim of this research project. The travel demand model based on four step planning method helps to determine the travel demand and assess the travel characteristics of people living in a TOD based on vehicle kilometres travelled (VKT), mode shares, walkability indices, travel speeds, trip lengths and level of containment of trips within a TOD. The combined effect of all the characteristics of TOD on travel characteristics will be studied rather than using one at a time and will be compared with traditional Australian urban development.

To achieve this overall aim, a case study TOD which has good transit service is essential for research on inhabitants’ travel behaviour. A candidate case study mixed use development, the Kelvin Grove Urban Village (KGUV), has been selected. The aim of this paper is then to evaluate the QoS of transit for this mixed use development, using the accessibility indicators from the framework provided in the TCQSM (TRB, 2003), in order to better appreciate whether it has the appropriate transit availability to support its function as a true TOD. (The comfort and convenience indicators will be examined in future research.)

The overall observation of results shows that KGUV has good transit availability and
therefore as a TOD represents a worthy case study. The QoS determination for transit
availability was straight forward as a desktop study however comfort and convenience
analysis needs a substantial field data base. This aspect is proposed for future research in this project.

A strategic four step planning model will be developed and calibrated for assessing the travel demand and to study the travel characteristics of people living in KGUV. The differences between the conventional development and a transit oriented development; like effect of accessibility, availability on travel demand will be examined using a calibrated four step model.

In future research, once the future travel demand study has been completed, the
contribution of QoS towards the success of a TOD as measured using the various indicators
of the TCQSM QoS framework can be confirmed and reconsidered as necessary.