A livable community is something that everybody wants, but it doesn't mean the same thing to all people. There is some agreement on the elements of livability or quality of life, such as safe and healthy neighborhoods; sustainable employment; adequate housing, retail, and community services; positive image; sense of community; and neighborhood-based cultural and recreational opportunities. Transit directly affects livability by providing access to goods and services and can support attainment of complementary community goals in other investment areas as well.

The objective of TCRP Project H-4D, The Role of Transit in Creating Livable Metropolitan Communities, was to explore the relationship between transit and livable communities. The research team explored a "placemaking" approach where a local community, working in partnership with a transit agency, plans and implements neighborhood-scale projects and programs that are mutually supportive of community livability and transit ridership goals.

TCRP Report 22 provides considerable information and guidance. The report's 12 chapters are divided into three major parts as follows:

Part I. Overview and Content. The first two chapters of the report define the concept of livability and the impact of transportation on livability. These chapters also describe federal support for transit and livable community initiatives, the "placemaking" approach to livability, and transportation strategies that impact livability.

Part II. Roles of Transit in Creating Livable Communities. In conducting this project, the research team met with numerous people in many communities throughout the United States to examine diverse examples of how public transportation supports and enhances community livability. This research, documented and presented in Chapters 3 through 9, includes examples, which briefly summarize the experience of individual communities, and more lengthy case studies. The use of examples and case studies provides practical concepts and demonstrates how public transportation can meaningfully contribute to the livability of metropolitan communities.

Part III. Implementation. Chapters 10 through 12 provide a guide to implementation by describing the importance of a community-based process for creating livable communities. (This process involves early participation in transportation planning and partnerships with public and private organizations implementing transportation and community.) Part III then describes specific planning, design, and management strategies for livable places and concludes with suggested next steps to increase awareness of livability-oriented transit programs.

TCRP Report 22 is available in portable document format (PDF). Click on the links below to access the report. (A free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader is available at https://www.adobe.com) Note: Because of the very large size of these files, it may take some time to download. We regret the inconvenience.

TCRP Report 22 Part A

TCRP Report 22 Part B

In addition to TCRP Report 22, a video was also prepared by the research team. The video provides an overview of key attributes of livable communities and shows how transit systems contribute to community vitality. The video is available from the American Public Transportation Association.