Capital Metro in Austin, Texas recently published a set of outstanding resources for planning and designing Transit Oriented Development: a Transit Design Guide, a TOD Priority Tool and a TOD Guide. Way to go, Austin!

Capital Metro in Austin, recently published a set of outstanding resources for planning and designing Transit Oriented Development (TOD):
- The Transit Design Guide is a best practices manual for designing transit-supportive roadways and facilities to enhance bus and rail service and operations.
- The TOD Priority Tool provides a framework for evaluating development potential around high-capacity stations.
- The TOD Guide is a best practices manual for TOD and placemaking.
What is Transit-Oriented Development?
Transit-oriented development (TOD) is an attractive, walkable, and sustainable development pattern around high-capacity transit that maximizes transit ridership and offers residents ample vibrant housing choices and convenient access to jobs, services and diverse amenities.
The TOD Priority Tool
Capital Metro is taking a system-wide approach to encourage TOD along the high-capacity MetroRapid and MetroRail transit corridors and enable transit communities for all residents. The new TOD Priority Tool provides a foundation to guide public and private investment around transit stations through:
- Creating an implementation action plan tool through research and analysis of the existing state of transit oriented development
- Providing on the ground, station-level action items with the intent to foster implementation of TOD at high-capacity transit stations
- Establishing a close interrelationship between land use decisions and transit system efficiencies to improve both.
Station Areas
This TOD Priority Tool is focused on areas within a half-mile radius around high-capacity transit stations on the MetroRapid and MetroRail system.
- About TOD - Learn about the benefits and opportunities of TOD.
- Typology - See station areas organized according to character and readiness.
- Implementation - Find out what's needed to bring TOD to reality.
- Interactive Map - Learn where the opportunities are.
FULL STORY: Transit Design Guides

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie