STEP: Transportation Studies

TRANSPORTATION STUDIES

March 20, 2008

Report brings out more politician support for Green Line extension

At a press conference held at Lechmere, MassPIRG announced the findings of its new public transportation report which states that Massachusetts' public transportation system reduces oil consumption and global warming emissions. Read more about the report.

BostonNOW: "Green Line extension gets boost"

Boston Metro: "T growth helps city go Green"

Somerville Journal: "Pols back report saying Green Line extension through Somerville will be better for environment, wallets"
“We’re done with highways,” Congressman Mike Capuano said. “Finally, we have a governor and an administration who get it.”

Study on importance of land use and public transit

One study, coordinated by Smart Growth America and published by the Urban Land Institute, found that “Typically, Americans living in compact urban neighborhoods where cars are not the only transportation option drive a third fewer miles than those in automobile-oriented suburbs.” A separate study from the American Public Transit Association showed related findings. Read more about both.

January 25, 2008

AIA study on well-designed transportation projects

The American Institute of Architects has released research on key design strategies that can be crucial in determining whether a transportation project will benefit its community.

Employing an integrated design process through which planners, designers, transportation officials, and builders develop a unified plan
Including all community stakeholders from the outset
Using three- and four-dimensional images and graphics to increase citizen involvement, understanding, and buy-in
Creating human-scaled structures and spaces that make busy transportation hubs more manageable
Using easily legible signs and directions that make complicated multimodal systems easier and safer to navigate
Designing projects to be both durable and adaptable to new transportation modes and community needs

Read the report

December 13, 2006

Somerville bus survey results

This summer and fall, STEP conducted a survey of Somerville residents to gather information on current MBTA bus service. The results are in:
- Many Somerville residents depend on bus service for a variety of needs.
- Though satisfied overall with bus routes and stop locations, people are generally dissatisfied with frequency of service.
- Bus routes with the highest satisfaction include the 88, 87, and 80.
- Bus routes with the lowest satisfaction include the 95, 90, and 92.
- The most important improvements are better adherence to schedule, more trips, and bus schedules posted at stops.
- Reliability is the top reason for those who don’t use buses.

Keep reading for more details on the survey findings. You can also download the PowerPoint presentation.

Report on diversity and transit-oriented neighborhoods

"Preserving and Promoting Diverse Transit-Oriented Neighborhoods" is collaboration of the Center for Neighborhood Technology, Reconnecting America, and Strategic Economics.
Download the report (PDF)

September 04, 2006

World Carfree Day is September 22

Join the annual celebration of alternatives to the automobile. For more information, visit World Carfree Network. Also check out the AltWheels Transportation Festival on September 22-23 on Boston City Hall Plaza.

September 01, 2006

Study comparing rail and bus transit

A new study debunks the myth that Bus Rapid Transit is successful in most places and puts bus in its proper place: below rail options in densely populated corridors.
Evaluating New Start Transit Program Performance: Comparing Rail And Bus (PDF)

July 15, 2006

Take the Somerville Bus Survey!

STEP is sponsoring a survey of current bus service in Somerville. This is your chance to be heard!

Take the Bus Survey

January 27, 2006

Study on housing affordability and transit

The Affordability Index: A New Tool for Measuring the True Affordability of a Housing Choice
This report from The Brookings Institution describes a new information tool developed by the Urban Markets Initiative to quantify, for the first time, the impact of transportation costs on the affordability of housing choices.

June 01, 2005

Making Places newsletter: Streets are people places

Check out this online newsletter from the Project for Public Spaces. Topics include transportation and community, making streets people-friendly, and what's working in places from New Jersey to Paris.
June 2005 issue

March 03, 2005

Transportation equity article

This paper defines different types of transportation equity, discusses various equity issues, and describes ways of incorporating equity into transportation planning.
Evaluating Transportation Equity (PDF)

October 17, 2004

Massachusetts commuting study: It's getting worse

A new study by MassINC shows that our commutes are getting worse at a faster rate than in all but five other states. The average commute is 27 minutes each way. Part of the solution is enhancing public transit.

Car ownership costs

Fact sheet on costs of owning and driving a car.
The Cost of Car Ownership (PDF)

August 01, 2004

Study on barriers to transit-oriented development

Case study of how a real-world development was able to overcome the substantial development barriers that face these developments.
Overcoming Financial and Institutional Barriers to TOD: Lindbergh Station Case Study (PDF)

November 01, 2003

Multimodel planning analysis

An analysis of existing methodologies to assess quality of service and related concerns for pedestrian, bicycle, and transit modes.
A Review of Approaches for Assessing Multimodal Quality of Service (PDF)

Bus transit and land use study

This article examines the effect of land use, socioeconomics, and bus transit service on transit demand in the Twin Cities. The findings suggest that vertical mixed-use is important close to transit access and retail plays an important role up to a quarter mile from transit service.
Bus Transit and Land Use: Illuminating the Interaction (PDF)

July 01, 2003