APPENDIX A
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Factors for Success in California’s Transit-Oriented Development, commissioned by the California Department of Transportation, identified the following 10 potential benefits of TOD. The study cites research showing that TOD can:

1. Provide mobility choices. By creating “activity nodes” linked by transit, TOD provides important mobility options, very much needed in congested metropolitan areas. This also allows young people,
   the elderly, people who prefer not to drive, and those who don’t own cars the ability to get around.
   
2. Increase public safety. By creating active places that are busy through the day and evening and providing “eyes on the street,” TOD helps increase safety for pedestrians, transit-users,
   and many others.
   
3. Increase transit ridership. TOD improves the efficiency and effectiveness of transit-service investments by increasing the use of transit near stations by 20 to 40 percent, and up to five percent overall at the regional level.
   
4. Reduce rates of vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Vehicle travel in California has increased faster than the state’s population for years. TOD can lower annual household rates of driving 20–40 percent for those living, working, and/or shopping within transit station areas.
   
5. Increase households’ disposable income. Housing and transportation are the first and second largest household expenses, respectively. TOD can free-up disposable income by reducing the need for more than one car and reducing driving costs, saving $3000-$4000 per year.
   
6. Reduce air pollution and energy consumption rates. By providing safe and easy pedestrian access
   to transit, TOD allows households to lower rates of air pollution and energy consumption. Also, TODs can help households reduce rates of greenhouse gas emissions by 2.5 to 3.7 tons per year.
   
7. Conserve resource lands and open space. Because TOD consumes less land than low-density,
   auto-oriented growth, it reduces the need to convert farmland and open spaces to development.
   
8. Play a role in economic development. TOD is increasingly used as a tool to revitalize aging downtowns and declining urban neighborhoods, and to enhance tax revenues for local jurisdictions.
   
9. Contribute to more affordable housing. TOD can add to the supply of affordable housing. It was recently estimated that housing costs for land and structures can be significantly reduced through more compact growth patterns.
   
10. Decrease local infrastructure costs. TOD can reduce costs for water, sewage, and roads to local governments and property owners by up to 25 percent.

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OPENING REMARKS | PHASE II - EXECTUTIVE SUMMARY | PHASE I - THE INVASION OF THE TRUFFLES
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