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• 1. [Article] Overlooked Density: Re-Thinking Transportation Options in Suburbia

  Suburban multifamily housing is an often overlooked housing typology that is the fasted growing housing market in the country and holds strong potential for achieving smart growth goals in suburbia. This ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Overlooked Density: Re-Thinking Transportation Options in Suburbia Author: Larco, Nico Year: 2010 Suburban multifamily housing is an often overlooked housing typology that is the fasted growing housing market in the country and holds strong potential for achieving smart growth goals in suburbia. This housing type is ubiquitous throughout all regions in the nation, is a widespread example of density in suburbia, and is typically located next to commercial uses. The proximity between suburban multifamily housing and commercial uses creates the potential for nodes of concentrated activity, mixed use, and the possibility of substantial non-auto transport in suburbia. While this potential exists, the design of this housing type often follows an enclaved pattern of development, negating any synergy, minimizing the possibility of non-auto transport, and denying any potential for sustainable development. Through case studies of suburban multifamily development in Oregon, Arizona, Florida, and Massachusetts, this report looks at the specific ways in which regulation, typical development practice, and design culture have shaped the current pattern of suburban multifamily development. Each case study includes graphic analysis of physical development patterns, interviews with planners, architects, property managers and developers who worked on the case study projects, regulatory analysis of case study jurisdictions, and surveys of residents. Title: Overlooked Density: Re-Thinking Transportation Options in Suburbia Author: Larco, Nico Year: 2010 Suburban multifamily housing is an often overlooked housing typology that is the fasted growing housing market in the country and holds strong potential for achieving smart growth goals in suburbia. This housing type is ubiquitous throughout all regions in the nation, is a widespread example of density in suburbia, and is typically located next to commercial uses. The proximity between suburban multifamily housing and commercial uses creates the potential for nodes of concentrated activity, mixed use, and the possibility of substantial non-auto transport in suburbia. While this potential exists, the design of this housing type often follows an enclaved pattern of development, negating any synergy, minimizing the possibility of non-auto transport, and denying any potential for sustainable development. Through case studies of suburban multifamily development in Oregon, Arizona, Florida, and Massachusetts, this report looks at the specific ways in which regulation, typical development practice, and design culture have shaped the current pattern of suburban multifamily development. Each case study includes graphic analysis of physical development patterns, interviews with planners, architects, property managers and developers who worked on the case study projects, regulatory analysis of case study jurisdictions, and surveys of residents. Close

• 2. [Article] Data-Driven Illustrations for Climate Smart Communities Scenarios

  Public investment in transit and streetscape improvements can encourage private development, and subsequently increase transit ridership and reduce pollution. Portland, OR’s Metro regional government has ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Data-Driven Illustrations for Climate Smart Communities Scenarios Author: Cheng, Nancy Yen-wen, Ellis, Kim, Vogt, Molly, Chiavarini, Clint, Houk, Justin, Lockyear, Brian, Postma, Boyce, Morell, Peggy Year: 2013 Public investment in transit and streetscape improvements can encourage private development, and subsequently increase transit ridership and reduce pollution. Portland, OR’s Metro regional government has developed investment scenarios designed to reduce light vehicle carbon emissions. Adopting a regional scenario requires public review and consultation with local governments who will implement the comprehensive plans and land-use regulations. Decision makers and residents need to understand potential benefits: ways in which targeted investment could generate more livable urban spaces while reducing greenhouse gases. Illustrations can show how the investments could shape the pedestrian experience through trees, street furniture, buildings, open spaces, etc. This report explains a new workflow to illustrate urban development possibilities that can be adjusted according to evolving forecasts. Developing accessible scenario illustrations from city and regional planning forecasts requires sound analysis and thoughtful graphics to effectively communicate the analysis results. Our workflow connects planning forecasts (incorporating economic, transportation and land development data) to a parametric urban modeler to generate development massing, with views refined with 3D and 2D graphic procedures. Our objective has been to streamline the creation of visuals that communicate community development patterns and amenities provided with different levels of investment. A streamlined procedure allows different designers to generate illustrations with a consistent graphic style. The report documents the workflow, and identifies challenges, opportunities and questions for further work. Title: Data-Driven Illustrations for Climate Smart Communities Scenarios Author: Cheng, Nancy Yen-wen, Ellis, Kim, Vogt, Molly, Chiavarini, Clint, Houk, Justin, Lockyear, Brian, Postma, Boyce, Morell, Peggy Year: 2013 Public investment in transit and streetscape improvements can encourage private development, and subsequently increase transit ridership and reduce pollution. Portland, OR’s Metro regional government has developed investment scenarios designed to reduce light vehicle carbon emissions. Adopting a regional scenario requires public review and consultation with local governments who will implement the comprehensive plans and land-use regulations. Decision makers and residents need to understand potential benefits: ways in which targeted investment could generate more livable urban spaces while reducing greenhouse gases. Illustrations can show how the investments could shape the pedestrian experience through trees, street furniture, buildings, open spaces, etc. This report explains a new workflow to illustrate urban development possibilities that can be adjusted according to evolving forecasts. Developing accessible scenario illustrations from city and regional planning forecasts requires sound analysis and thoughtful graphics to effectively communicate the analysis results. Our workflow connects planning forecasts (incorporating economic, transportation and land development data) to a parametric urban modeler to generate development massing, with views refined with 3D and 2D graphic procedures. Our objective has been to streamline the creation of visuals that communicate community development patterns and amenities provided with different levels of investment. A streamlined procedure allows different designers to generate illustrations with a consistent graphic style. The report documents the workflow, and identifies challenges, opportunities and questions for further work. Close

• 3. [Article] Investigations In Transportation

  The Investigations in Transportation program is an elementary school partnership and curriculum development project that will engage science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) professionals ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Investigations In Transportation Author: Becker, William G., Biskupic Knight, Carol Year: 2015 The Investigations in Transportation program is an elementary school partnership and curriculum development project that will engage science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) professionals in school-based activities and projects that will bring real-world applications to elementary classrooms for grades 3-5. The Portland Metro STEM Partnership (PMSP) is providing leadership and facilitation to a team of educators from Portland State University, Beaverton School District and Hillsboro School District who will work with volunteers from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to design, develop, implement and assess the impact of an in-class unit entitled "Investigations in Transportation". This report presents a study of a transportation education partnership and curriculum development project that harnessed the professional expertise, experience and enthusiasm of transportation-sector STEM workers by creating a mechanism and set of protocols by which they engaged with elementary school teachers to develop and implement an instructional unit. This STEM-connected instructional unit and lessons allowed students to explore and investigate issues central to transportation. The unit incorporated and enhanced the content and practice standards outlined by the Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards, and relied heavily on the instructional and curriculum expertise and experience of classroom teachers to develop an age- and interest-appropriate unit of study. This collaboration resulted in the development of an Investigations in Transportation instructional unit that provided students with rich, engaging learning opportunities set in the context of real-world problems around a school parking lot dilemma focused on safety, sustainability and health concerns. The education project team utilized a coherent and cohesive curriculum development process for unit creation and evaluated the development, implementation and reflection of the unit through teacher and student surveys/assessments of attitudes, identity and conceptual understanding. The report describes the process successes, challenges and replication opportunities. Title: Investigations In Transportation Author: Becker, William G., Biskupic Knight, Carol Year: 2015 The Investigations in Transportation program is an elementary school partnership and curriculum development project that will engage science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) professionals in school-based activities and projects that will bring real-world applications to elementary classrooms for grades 3-5. The Portland Metro STEM Partnership (PMSP) is providing leadership and facilitation to a team of educators from Portland State University, Beaverton School District and Hillsboro School District who will work with volunteers from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to design, develop, implement and assess the impact of an in-class unit entitled "Investigations in Transportation". This report presents a study of a transportation education partnership and curriculum development project that harnessed the professional expertise, experience and enthusiasm of transportation-sector STEM workers by creating a mechanism and set of protocols by which they engaged with elementary school teachers to develop and implement an instructional unit. This STEM-connected instructional unit and lessons allowed students to explore and investigate issues central to transportation. The unit incorporated and enhanced the content and practice standards outlined by the Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards, and relied heavily on the instructional and curriculum expertise and experience of classroom teachers to develop an age- and interest-appropriate unit of study. This collaboration resulted in the development of an Investigations in Transportation instructional unit that provided students with rich, engaging learning opportunities set in the context of real-world problems around a school parking lot dilemma focused on safety, sustainability and health concerns. The education project team utilized a coherent and cohesive curriculum development process for unit creation and evaluated the development, implementation and reflection of the unit through teacher and student surveys/assessments of attitudes, identity and conceptual understanding. The report describes the process successes, challenges and replication opportunities. Close

• 4. [Article] Effects of Light Rail Transit in Portland: Implications for Transit-Oriented Development Design Concepts

  In the Portland, Oregon, region many local planners have embraced the neotraditional planning concept in the form of transit-oriented development (TOD). One of the primary components of transit-oriented ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Effects of Light Rail Transit in Portland: Implications for Transit-Oriented Development Design Concepts Author: Dueker, Kenneth, Bianco, Martha J. Year: 1998 In the Portland, Oregon, region many local planners have embraced the neotraditional planning concept in the form of transit-oriented development (TOD). One of the primary components of transit-oriented development, light rail transit (LRT), has been in place in Portland long enough to provide data for analysis. Because neotraditional planners often emphasize LRT as a crucial element in decreasing auto use and in encouraging high-density development, this paper examines the effects of LRT in the Portland region including mode share, density, and property values. The empirical analysis provides evidence that light rail alone has not been sufficient to have an appreciable impact on development patterns, residential density, auto ownership, and transit modal behavior, although there has been some positive effect of rail on single-family property values. There has also been less of a decline in transit use and slower growth in two-car households in the LRT corridor as compared to a parallel bus corridor. The small positive effects of LRT may indicate the beginning of a self-selection in housing location choice wherein persons desiring rail transit choose to live where it is available. This assessment of the evidence in terms of impacts on development trends indicates the extent to which consumer preferences have responded to LRT investments. This kind of assessment is needed to provide the basis for estimating travel mode shares and market shares for dispersed and concentrated development forms. Examination of data suggests that it may be advisable for planners to entertain more modest expectations of LRT. Title: Effects of Light Rail Transit in Portland: Implications for Transit-Oriented Development Design Concepts Author: Dueker, Kenneth, Bianco, Martha J. Year: 1998 In the Portland, Oregon, region many local planners have embraced the neotraditional planning concept in the form of transit-oriented development (TOD). One of the primary components of transit-oriented development, light rail transit (LRT), has been in place in Portland long enough to provide data for analysis. Because neotraditional planners often emphasize LRT as a crucial element in decreasing auto use and in encouraging high-density development, this paper examines the effects of LRT in the Portland region including mode share, density, and property values. The empirical analysis provides evidence that light rail alone has not been sufficient to have an appreciable impact on development patterns, residential density, auto ownership, and transit modal behavior, although there has been some positive effect of rail on single-family property values. There has also been less of a decline in transit use and slower growth in two-car households in the LRT corridor as compared to a parallel bus corridor. The small positive effects of LRT may indicate the beginning of a self-selection in housing location choice wherein persons desiring rail transit choose to live where it is available. This assessment of the evidence in terms of impacts on development trends indicates the extent to which consumer preferences have responded to LRT investments. This kind of assessment is needed to provide the basis for estimating travel mode shares and market shares for dispersed and concentrated development forms. Examination of data suggests that it may be advisable for planners to entertain more modest expectations of LRT. Close

• 5. [Article] Transit Planning Practice in the Age of Transit-Oriented Development

  Transit serves as backbone infrastructure for many regional and local visions for sustainable urban development. Also, many modern policies predicate transit funding on the potential for transit-oriented ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Transit Planning Practice in the Age of Transit-Oriented Development Author: Carlton, Ian Year: 2014 Transit serves as backbone infrastructure for many regional and local visions for sustainable urban development. Also, many modern policies predicate transit funding on the potential for transit-oriented development (TOD) near proposed infrastructure investments. However, little research has examined how TOD considerations have informed transit planning. This presentation discusses the results of recent dissertation research that fills this gap. Through multiple transit project case studies and interviews with nearly 100 transit planning professionals, this research categorized how transit projects across 19 U.S. regions were designed to foster TOD and how transit planning professionals identified TOD opportunities as projects were planned. During interviews, many professionals lamented the amount of real estate development that had occurred around the transit projects they helped plan. Analysis revealed that the ways in which professionals identified TOD opportunities helped to explain disconnects between their expectations and actual outcomes. The findings raise concerns about the effectiveness and efficiency of transit planning practice in the age of transit-oriented development and point to potential policy and practice changes that could address the issues. Title: Transit Planning Practice in the Age of Transit-Oriented Development Author: Carlton, Ian Year: 2014 Transit serves as backbone infrastructure for many regional and local visions for sustainable urban development. Also, many modern policies predicate transit funding on the potential for transit-oriented development (TOD) near proposed infrastructure investments. However, little research has examined how TOD considerations have informed transit planning. This presentation discusses the results of recent dissertation research that fills this gap. Through multiple transit project case studies and interviews with nearly 100 transit planning professionals, this research categorized how transit projects across 19 U.S. regions were designed to foster TOD and how transit planning professionals identified TOD opportunities as projects were planned. During interviews, many professionals lamented the amount of real estate development that had occurred around the transit projects they helped plan. Analysis revealed that the ways in which professionals identified TOD opportunities helped to explain disconnects between their expectations and actual outcomes. The findings raise concerns about the effectiveness and efficiency of transit planning practice in the age of transit-oriented development and point to potential policy and practice changes that could address the issues. Close

• 6. [Article] Does Compact Development Increase or Reduce Congestion?

  The net effects of sprawl or compact development on area-wide traffic congestion have been a subject of debate among transportation researchers. This project aims to settle the debate using: Congestion ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Does Compact Development Increase or Reduce Congestion? Author: Ewing, Reid Year: 2017 The net effects of sprawl or compact development on area-wide traffic congestion have been a subject of debate among transportation researchers. This project aims to settle the debate using: Congestion data from the Texas Transportation Institute’s Urban Mobility Scorecard database; Compactness/sprawl metrics developed at the University of Utah. Compact development may help at the margin, but the greatest reduction in congestion appears to be achieved through expansion of surface streets and higher highway user fees. Title: Does Compact Development Increase or Reduce Congestion? Author: Ewing, Reid Year: 2017 The net effects of sprawl or compact development on area-wide traffic congestion have been a subject of debate among transportation researchers. This project aims to settle the debate using: Congestion data from the Texas Transportation Institute’s Urban Mobility Scorecard database; Compactness/sprawl metrics developed at the University of Utah. Compact development may help at the margin, but the greatest reduction in congestion appears to be achieved through expansion of surface streets and higher highway user fees. Close

• 7. [Article] TOD Beats TAD in Affordability Showdown

  A research project compares transportation affordability between transitoriented development (TOD) and transit-adjacent development (TAD).

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: TOD Beats TAD in Affordability Showdown Author: Scheer, Brenda Year: 2017 A research project compares transportation affordability between transitoriented development (TOD) and transit-adjacent development (TAD). Title: TOD Beats TAD in Affordability Showdown Author: Scheer, Brenda Year: 2017 A research project compares transportation affordability between transitoriented development (TOD) and transit-adjacent development (TAD). Close

• 8. [Article] Transit Can Inspire Neighborhood Revitalization

  In-depth case studies explore how transit-oriented development can revitalize neighborhoods without displacing low-income residents.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Transit Can Inspire Neighborhood Revitalization Author: Sandoval, Gerardo Francisco, Herrera, Roanel Year: 2015 In-depth case studies explore how transit-oriented development can revitalize neighborhoods without displacing low-income residents. Title: Transit Can Inspire Neighborhood Revitalization Author: Sandoval, Gerardo Francisco, Herrera, Roanel Year: 2015 In-depth case studies explore how transit-oriented development can revitalize neighborhoods without displacing low-income residents. Close

• 9. [Article] Advanced GIS: Smart Transportation

  As sensors have become cheaper and more common, they have found an increasingly important role in transportation. However, curriculum to prepare students who will be working with these technologies as ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Advanced GIS: Smart Transportation Author: Bone, Christopher, Kato, Ken, Bartruff, Jacob, Schlossberg, Marc Year: 2016 As sensors have become cheaper and more common, they have found an increasingly important role in transportation. However, curriculum to prepare students who will be working with these technologies as developers and planners has not developed at the same rate. The goal of this project was to develop a college course focused around sensors and smart transportation to be offered to undergrad and graduate students at the University of Oregon. The class focused on the practical application and the theoretical consequences of these developments. The class was offered in the spring term of 2015 to a group of undergraduate and graduate students from a variety of backgrounds. An overview of the class is offered here, and course documents are included as appendices so that other educators could use them as a starting point for developing such classes. Title: Advanced GIS: Smart Transportation Author: Bone, Christopher, Kato, Ken, Bartruff, Jacob, Schlossberg, Marc Year: 2016 As sensors have become cheaper and more common, they have found an increasingly important role in transportation. However, curriculum to prepare students who will be working with these technologies as developers and planners has not developed at the same rate. The goal of this project was to develop a college course focused around sensors and smart transportation to be offered to undergrad and graduate students at the University of Oregon. The class focused on the practical application and the theoretical consequences of these developments. The class was offered in the spring term of 2015 to a group of undergraduate and graduate students from a variety of backgrounds. An overview of the class is offered here, and course documents are included as appendices so that other educators could use them as a starting point for developing such classes. Close

• 10. [Article] A GIS Methodology for Assessing the Growth Impacts of Highway Improvements

  This paper presents a methodology to assess the induced land use effects of state highway improvements on urban development patterns. The methodology is applied to the case study City of Hillsboro, Oregon ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: A GIS Methodology for Assessing the Growth Impacts of Highway Improvements Author: Sanchez, Thomas W., Dueker, Kenneth Year: 1998 This paper presents a methodology to assess the induced land use effects of state highway improvements on urban development patterns. The methodology is applied to the case study City of Hillsboro, Oregon and illustrates a framework for data management and analysis. A set of temporal land use characteristics and spatial measures are used as predictors of urban development activities resulting from highway accessibility improvements. A multiple regression analysis tests the significance of these variables in predicting rates and locations of urban development. The primary objective of this research is to identify the relationship between capacity increasing highway improvements and changes in urban development. The analysis provides quantifiable indicators that describe the urban development trends associated with the City of Hillsboro. Title: A GIS Methodology for Assessing the Growth Impacts of Highway Improvements Author: Sanchez, Thomas W., Dueker, Kenneth Year: 1998 This paper presents a methodology to assess the induced land use effects of state highway improvements on urban development patterns. The methodology is applied to the case study City of Hillsboro, Oregon and illustrates a framework for data management and analysis. A set of temporal land use characteristics and spatial measures are used as predictors of urban development activities resulting from highway accessibility improvements. A multiple regression analysis tests the significance of these variables in predicting rates and locations of urban development. The primary objective of this research is to identify the relationship between capacity increasing highway improvements and changes in urban development. The analysis provides quantifiable indicators that describe the urban development trends associated with the City of Hillsboro. Close