TOD in Response to the New Normal

IBI Group’s longstanding partnerships with transit authorities like Metrolinx, vivaNext and the TTC, in conjunction with strong relationships with public and private sectors, has afforded the company a wealth of TOD project experience seen through the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, various station area plans, and numerous private developments along existing and proposed transit corridors.

A pertinent question to be answered as the world finds itself in a unique and unprecedented time, is how will the COVID-19 pandemic affect life from a mobility perspective? 

As information and data flow in, it is evident that the health measures in place have resulted in a dramatic decrease in automotive dependence. Transit authorities have temporarily reduced the frequency and level of transit service in a cautionary effort to protect their employees. This measure has led to overcrowding on some routes, and increased trips for alternative transportation modes such as pedestrian, cycling and taxi and Uber/Lyft services.

The pandemic is the hard push forcing many to open their minds to the true feasibility and viability of transitioning the scheme of communities away from the auto-centric model. Temporary closures of roads for non-vehicle modes suggest that municipal engineering standards for rights of way could be revised with increased widths and programming to enable more pedestrian, cyclist and infrastructure separation.  

With these closures, outdoor personal amenity space in denser urban areas has become increasingly important and will likely spur changes to the design of high-rise buildings. These changes could include enlarged balconies to support park-like personal amenity space.

Car share temporarily being shut down, and the development of contactless delivery as a result of COVID-19, propels the opportunity for curbside management planning. IBI Group recognized the critical nature of the curbside early on, and has developed a patent-pending platform under development to help municipalities understand, manage, and communicate their curbside restrictions and optimize the valuable curb space for both end users and developers/builders alike. This optimization is key to operating the future transportation networks efficiently. Without a clear understanding, management process and communication plan for how this space is being used, the curb devolves into conflict, inefficiency, and frustration for everyone involved.

IBI Group’s many teams, including transportation, architecture, urban design and planning, have come together to explore these new trends in TOD needs and opportunities, that we submit will contribute to healthy, sustainable and complete environments.