METRA COMMUTER RAIL AGENCY
Rail Service and Residential Development Study

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S. B. Friedman & Company headed a consulting team that studied the relationship between Metra’s rail stations and surrounding local residential development in the Metropolitan Chicago area. The study is the third in an ongoing series exploring land use and development around Metra commuter rail stations. The study provides recommendations and strategies for residential development that encourage the use of commuter rail and provide practical benefits to the surrounding community.

Recommendations presented in the study make rail commuting more convenient for those living near commuter rail stations, as well as create a greater “sense of place” for communities as a whole. The study focuses on the geographic area within one-half mile of the station, the area with the most significant interaction between rail commuters and the environment surrounding the station. A color brochure serves as a companion piece to the final report.

The project included detailed statistical analysis of U.S. Census and Metra data to identify high- performance stations, surveys of riders at selected stations, and qualitative analysis and evaluation of the design of residential areas which produce unusually high numbers of riders. In addition, site analyses for six case study stations were undertaken to develop an understanding of land use and design patterns, and to identify relationships between physical design and micro-land use patterns.

The study found that high levels of pedestrian access can be achieved with community characteristics that are common in both new and traditional communities. Both moderate-density and higher density communities produce high proportions of riders who use commuter rail to and from work, and who access the rail system by walking to the station. The character of residential development includes not only design, density, and orientation of housing, but also access and circulation patterns. In both the moderate-density and higher density scenarios, six common principles were identified: 1) create and maintain a pedestrian-friendly community; 2) establish good vehicular and pedestrian access to the station; 3) provide for a comfortable walking environment immediately surrounding the station area; 4) encourage convenience services; 5) provide a diversity of housing types within walking distance of the station; and 6) provide for street orientation of housing.