Overview
The Existing Transit Orientation Score is composed of eight existing transit orientation metrics: transit connectivity index, job access, travel time, intensity, car ownership, walk score, land use balance, and current non-auto ridership. Together, the eight metrics communicate where land use and commute patterns commonly associated with transit-oriented development already exist. Each metric ranges from 0 to 10, and the total score ranges from 0 to 80, which is divided into three categories: Low (0-26.7), Medium (26.7-53.3), and High (53.3-80).
Transit Connectivity Index
The Transit Connectivity Index (TCTI) is an index from 0 to 100 that is scaled by the number of transit trips the average household in a block group can access by walking each week. The index reflects the number of bus routes and train stations that are accessible within a half-mile radius of a Metro station entrance. Higher scores are considered to be more favorable for transit-oriented development.
Data Source: CNT’s H+T Index, 2020
Scoring Method: The metric is calculated into a score that ranges from 0 to 10. Higher scores are considered to be more favorable for transit-oriented development. The following table provides example metric values and their corresponding scores.
| Score |
TCI |
| 10 |
52 |
| 7.5 |
39.25 |
| 5 |
26.5 |
| 2.5 |
13.75 |
| 0 |
1 |
Job Access
Job access measures the total number of jobs accessible within a 30-minute transit ride from the identified station. This data is collected from the Center for Neighborhood Technology’s Housing and Transportation (H+T) Affordability Index, and it identifies how desirable a station area is to potential residents and businesses.
Data Source: CNT’s H+T Index, 2020
Scoring Method: The metric is calculated into a score that ranges from 0 to 10. Higher scores are considered to be more favorable for transit-oriented development. The following table provides example metric values and their corresponding scores.
| Score |
Jobs |
| 10 |
1,000,000 |
| 7.5 |
750,000 |
| 5 |
500,000 |
| 2.5 |
250,000 |
| 0 |
0 |
Travel Time Competitiveness
The travel time competitiveness is based on the ratio of automobile travel time to non-automobile travel time collected from Google Maps. The ratio was derived using travel times from the specified station area to Metro Center Station in the District of Columbia based on a 9:00 AM arrival on a Tuesday morning. Non-automobile travel time compares transit, bike, and walk times and uses the shortest commute. For transit, transfer and walk times are included in the overall travel time. If multiple routes were provided, the shortest route of the provided options was selected. Ratios higher than 1.0 reflect trips that are quicker by transit than automobile during this time period.
Data Source: Google API, 2020
Scoring Method: The metric is calculated into a score that ranges from 0 to 10. Higher scores are considered to be more favorable for transit-oriented development. The following table provides example metric values and their corresponding scores.
| Score |
Time Ratio |
| 10 |
2.0 |
| 7.5 |
1.5 |
| 5 |
1.0 |
| 2.5 |
0.5 |
| 0 |
0 |
Intensity
Intensity, also referred to as activity population, measures the total number of residents and employees per acre located within the half-mile walkshed around each WMATA station. It combines 2020 population and employment data collected from Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.
Data Source: Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, 2020
Scoring Method: The metric is calculated into a score that ranges from 0 to 10. Higher scores are considered to be more favorable for transit-oriented development. The following table provides example metric values and their corresponding scores.
| Score |
Activity Population per Acre |
| 10 |
428.5 |
| 7.5 |
90.2 |
| 5 |
37.4 |
| 2.5 |
17.0 |
| 0 |
0.2 |
Car Ownership
Car ownership measures the percent of occupied households within a station area with zero or one vehicle. This data, which was retrieved from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, is analyzed for a half-mile walkshed around each WMATA station.
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2017
Scoring Method: The metric is calculated into a score that ranges from 0 to 10. Higher scores are considered to be more favorable for transit-oriented development. The following table provides example metric values and their corresponding scores.
| Score |
Households with Zero/One Vehicle |
| 10 |
100% |
| 7.5 |
75% |
| 5 |
50% |
| 2.5 |
25% |
| 0 |
0% |
Walk Score
Walk Score™ is a 100-point scale used to help rate a station area on its physical characteristics that permit walking. The score measures the number of nearby amenities that can be reached on foot.
Data Source: Walk Score, 2019
Scoring Method: The metric is calculated into a score that ranges from 0 to 10. Higher scores are considered to be more favorable for transit-oriented development. The following table provides example metric values and their corresponding scores.
| Score |
Walk Score |
| 10 |
100 |
| 7.5 |
75 |
| 5 |
50 |
| 2.5 |
25 |
| 0 |
0 |
Land Use Balance
Land use balance rates the land use mix around a station area from a value ranging from 0 to 1. Higher values indicate better land use mix around the station and are considered to be more favorable for transit-oriented development. The analysis summarizes mixed use, residential, and commercial land use for a half-mile radius from each station entrance, using data from UrbanFootprint, a third party licensed software.
Data Source: Urban Footprint, 2019
Scoring Method: The metric is calculated into a score that ranges from 0 to 10. Higher scores are considered to be more favorable for transit-oriented development. The following table provides example metric values and their corresponding scores.
| Score |
Land Use Diversity Index |
| 10 |
1.0 |
| 7.5 |
0.75 |
| 5 |
0.5 |
| 2.5 |
0.25 |
| 0 |
0 |
Current Non-Auto Ridership
Current Non-Auto Ridership indicates the number of non-driving Metro riders. The data was retrieved from WMATA’s 2016 rail survey. The metric calculates weekday all day riders who arrive to station by foot, bike, bus, or shuttle. It excludes riders who arrive by car, taxi, or train.
Data Source: Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, 2016
Scoring Method: The metric is calculated into a score that ranges from 0 to 10. Higher scores are considered to be more favorable for transit-oriented development. The following table provides example metric values and their corresponding scores.
| Score |
Non-Driving Metro Riders |
| 10 |
24,368 |
| 7.5 |
6,964 |
| 5 |
3,732 |
| 2.5 |
1,872 |
| 0 |
0 |