LAND-USE AND RAIL TRANSIT

In urban areas, increased sprawl and automobile dependency has been criticized as having a negative impact on transportation efficiency and environmental quality. In hopes of reducing sprawl and dependency on highway travel, there is a need to reconsider current land use development strategies and travel mode options. A more balanced approach to planning that includes mixed-use development and provision of alternative transportation modes is warranted. An example is drawn from a master transportation plan recently completed for Orange County, NY outlining how compact land use planning around rail transit stations may be one approach to curbing urban sprawl.