Bill Overview
Title: NO TOD Act
Description: This bill restricts the use of certain transportation funds for transit-oriented development projects.
Sponsors: Rep. Perry, Scott [R-PA-10]
Target Audience
Population: people in urban areas affected by changes to transit-oriented developments
Estimated Size: 30000000
- Transit-oriented developments (TOD) are urban development projects that integrate residential, commercial, and public spaces with public transportation systems.
- TOD initiatives often aim to reduce reliance on cars, promote public transit use, and enhance the livability of urban areas.
- Restricting funds for TOD projects could impact urban residents who rely on public transportation for daily commutes.
- Developers and municipalities who are current or potential stakeholders in TOD projects may directly feel the financial impact of this legislation.
- Inhabitants of areas that were planned or recently developed as TODs may experience impacts in terms of housing availability, transportation options, and urban infrastructure.
- Those favoring environmental benefits from reduced vehicular traffic due to TODs may find such benefits diminished.
Reasoning
- The policy aims to restrict funding for transit-oriented development (TOD) projects, which means cutting budgets that urban populations may rely on for efficient public transportation, development, and housing settings tied to transit hubs.
- Major urban centers where TOD projects are significant can see varying impacts based on their reliance on public transport and current development statuses; populations in these areas might face setbacks in access to efficient transit and associated economic benefits.
- Considering financial constraints and population demographics, impacts will likely vary among direct stakeholders (developers, residents near TODs, commuters using public transit) versus the general urban populace less reliant on these developments.
- The budget limits also mean that the impact could be more pronounced in areas where TODs are newly being introduced and communities reliant on funding for initial projects could experience stalling or inefficiencies.
Simulated Interviews
Software Developer (Brooklyn, NY)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The transit options near me have made life easier in terms of commuting.
- I'm concerned that restricting TOD funds might delay enhancements to the local public transport system.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Urban Planner (New Orleans, LA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could potentially disrupt the development projects on which we are relying to improve city living standards.
- It might impact future planning strategies significantly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Retired School Teacher (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 60 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If TOD projects are restricted, access to essential transport might become more difficult.
- The community development in my area could be hampered, affecting social activities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Graduate Student (Chicago, IL)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The affordability and accessibility of living close to transit are crucial for a student budget.
- Funding restrictions might mean persistently outdated infrastructure, complicating daily commutes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Environmental Activist (Portland, OR)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- TOD projects reduce city's carbon footprint, crucial for our sustainability goals.
- Funding restrictions set back environmental progress and undermine hard-earned advancements.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 9 |
Real Estate Developer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could reduce investor confidence and slow down projects.
- Financial viability of TODs might shrink without this funding, affecting profits and urban living standards.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Public Transport Driver (Houston, TX)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Without TOD projects, improvements to public transport systems remain limited.
- Restricting these funds could mean fewer job opportunities and reduced infrastructure investments.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 7 |
Entrepreneur (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- TODs are fundamental to urban tech developments we focus on.
- Policy change might slow innovation and affect market dynamics negatively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Local Government Official (Miami, FL)
Age: 40 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy creates additional budgetary challenges and can slow down public approval processes.
- Our ability to service growing city demands might be impeded.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 8 |
Public School Teacher (Seattle, WA)
Age: 33 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- TODs have allowed me to move around the city efficiently with minimal environmental impact.
- Funding cuts could increase my commute time and decrease the quality of available transit options.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $4000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $5000000)
Year 2: $4500000 (Low: $3500000, High: $5500000)
Year 3: $4700000 (Low: $3700000, High: $5700000)
Year 5: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 10: $5500000 (Low: $4500000, High: $6500000)
Year 100: $6000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $7000000)
Key Considerations
- Restricting TOD funding might slow efforts to improve sustainability and reduce urban traffic congestion, potentially affecting urban livability.
- Alternative funding solutions will need to be identified by municipalities, which could affect local government budgeting and financial planning.
- Impact on climate change mitigation efforts as TODs are often part of broader environmental strategies.