People often wonder what areas in Newton should be considered as locations for transit-oriented development. To look at this question, I researched how people get to work now based on where they live. (The Census Bureau collects data on means of transportation to work broken down by census block groups.)
Using that data, I developed a map of Newton (PDF) showing what percent of the people who go to work outside their home use public transit. The darker the green, the more transit use. The darker the orange, the less transit use.
When you look at the map, the pattern is very clear. People who live near transit do take public transportation to work more frequently than those who live farther away from it.
There is a higher percentage of people going to work using transit near the Green Line. However, people who live near the commuter rail and the express bus also use transit more frequently.
So, new housing near the Green Line as well as the commuter rail and the express bus should be considered transit-oriented development.
People who live near transit use their cars less often to get to work, thereby reducing their carbon emissions which is exactly what we need right now.
Therefore, the new zoning should allow the opportunity for more housing in all villages near transit.
Kathy Pillsbury
