Stations are the connecting point between the rail system and the city - the place where everything comes together. Stations represent the facilities where patrons encounter the transit system and experience its image, service, and convenience. Proper location and design can elevate stations to become important civic icons of a city.
Stations are also connecting points to other forms of transit and mobility including other rail systems, light rail and streetcars, buses, taxis, automobiles, bicycles, and walking. Station design, location, and operations strongly affect passenger convenience, comfort, and safety, as well as ridership levels and frequency.
Station design and operations also strongly affect service reliability, operating speed, and line capacity. There is a hierarchy of station scale and design with varying components that are appropriate for different system types and locations.
GETTING STATION LAYOUT RIGHT
Getting the layout of the station right is one of the most important early moves that will lock in desirable or undesirable patterns, and dictate many factors including pedestrian and bicycle use, level of traffic all around the station, quality of station area development, location of cafes and retail, and overall success of the rail system. Avoid the conventional "station in a parking lot" scenario shown below on the left.
STATION IN THE PARKINGLOT
STATION IN THE CITY
STATION IN THE PARKINGLOT
STATION IN THE CITY
Rail station modeled after an airport - isolated, separate from city, only access by car or bus - adding delays and additional complications to people's travels
Dangerous and unpleasant for pedestrians, discourages walking to and from the station
Dangerous for bicycles and discourages riding to and from station
Increases vehicular traffic, noise, pollution, accidents and delays all around the station
Discourages integration with surrounding city; discourages quality real estate development - cafes & retail surrounding the station
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Station modeled after downtown rail stations - directly embedded and integrated into the city - accessible by walking, car, bus, and transit
Safe, pleasant, lively environment encourages walking to station, shopping, hanging out in cafes, etc.
Safe for bicycles, easy access, plenty of bike parking in multiple locations around station
Reduces vehicular traffic to, and around the station; high percent of people arrive on foot or bicycle
Station directly integrates into the city, encouraging high quality cafes, restaurants, retail, commercial, and residential development right up to the door of station
HIERARCHY OF STATION TYPES AND SCALES
The size and scale of the stations and surrounding development depend on their location in the region, the types of rail service using the station, and the development potential of surrounding land.
The range of 'TOD place types' is outlined by Reconnecting America:
The Transit Oriented Development Institute is a project of the US High Speed Rail Association. For more information, interviews, or consultation, contact us by phone (202) 248-5001 or email: email (@) tod.org Mailing Address: Transit Oriented Development Institute US High Speed Rail Association
