Reimagining Arterials: The Next Big Thing in TOD

Just about every North American city has fading, car-centric arterial corridors. At Rail~Volution 2019, Peter Calthorpe presented these corridors as the “next big idea” for TOD. How? By converting excess lane capacity to fixed guideways for transit. And converting commercial strip malls and expansive surface parking into TODs. In our current era of online shopping and work-from-home, this big idea is even more powerful. Where is it happening? Take a look at examples of TOD planning for rail and BRT along iconic radial arterials in four locations. Take home strategic lessons about market limitations, how to choose corridors for targeting regional growth and mitigating sprawl, and the role of anchor destinations, such as universities or suburban downtowns. We’ll also include a reality check: can this big idea shift trips and lower carbon emissions?

Moderator: Sasha Page, Principal, Rebel, Washington, DC
Sharla Horton-Williams, Board Member, Trinity Metro, Fort Worth, TX
Tobe Holmes, AICP, Senior Project Manager, WithersRavenel, Charlotte, NC
Debra Salon, PhD, Associate Professor, School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ