The Portland Transit Mall Impact Study: Downtown Buildings: New Construction, Major Renovation, and Demolition

1981PDFTech ReportTransit mallsUrban transitEconomic analysisEconomic forecastingUrban designConstructionCity planningPublic transportationTransportation facilitiesLand usePortland (Oregon)United StatesUnited States. Department of TransportationPortland (Or.). Bureau of PlanningSandblast, TerryDotterrer, SteveCampbell, SarahCity of Portland (Oregon). Bureau of PlanningUnited States. Department of Transportation. Bureau of Transportation StatisticsFederal Transit Administration 50th AnniversaryTransit malls are a relatively new form of municipal projects; they have been constructed in the U.S. only within the last 15 years. In the 1970 's a new wave of concern over deteriorating business conditions in downtown areas combined with increased concern over traffic congestion and environmental problems brought renewed interest in transit improvements as a partial solution. Recognizing that fixed guideway systems are expensive, most cities have begun to focus attention on improving bus service by means of operational measures. Examples are: priority signalization , preferential lanes, improved loading facilities, route rationalization, and improved scheduling. In particular, there has been a trend toward consolidation of routes onto fewer streets in order to make more efficient use of preferential treatment, while also simplifying the transit system and making transfers easier. Also, under the general heading of "Transportation Systems Management," public officials are encouraging carpools, transit usage, shorter trips and pedestrianization to otherwise mitigate the growth of auto congestion.83