POPULATION DENSITY CONSIDERATIONS FOR URBAN RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEMS

Considerable attention has been given to the relationship of population densities within an urbanized area to existing or estimated rail transit patronage. Unfortunately, much of the rail planning is conducted at the macroscopic scale with the generalized statements of minimum densities necessary to support a given system. To adequately assess rail transit potential, microscopic analysis along any particular rail corridor is required. Several data sources are readily available to transportation planners in developing population density profiles along an existing or proposed rail corridor