Study: Nearly Half of Portland TOD Residents Commute by Transit

New research from the Portland State University’s Transportation Research and Education Center (TREC) reveals how transit-oriented development (TOD) in Portland, Oregon has impacted driving rates among residents.

The study reveals a startling fact: these developments generate drastically fewer car trips than previously anticipated. This trend is particularly evident in areas that prioritize affordable housing, challenging conventional wisdom about transit usage and car dependency.

The study focused specifically on buildings with units reserved for households earning 30 to 80 percent of area median income. “Among its major revelations, the study indicates that TOD residents engage in significantly lower levels of car travel compared to standard expectations. Particularly within affordable housing sectors, vehicle trips are reported to be only a quarter to two-fifths of anticipated rates.” In these developments, transit accounted for 28 percent of trips, and pedestrian travel was at 19 percent of trips.

Half of residents living in affordable TOD developments do not own a car, opting instead for transit, walking, and biking. “This evidence supports the notion that accessible transit networks integrated with affordable housing not only alleviate car dependency but also promote healthier and more active lifestyle choices among urban populations.”

Significantly, survey participants report decreasing their car usage since moving into TODs. “In fact, approximately 20% of respondents indicated that they have either parted ways with a vehicle or are contemplating doing so, largely owing to the walkable and transit-friendly designs of their neighborhoods.”