Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (ETOD)
A Deeper Look at ETOD
How is Austin Working to Achieve ETOD (Equitable Transit-Oriented Development)?
CapMetro was awarded $3.15 million from the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) TOD Pilot Grant to produce an Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (ETOD) Study for Austin, Texas.
CapMetro is leading the ETOD Study in partnership with the City of Austin (COA) and the Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) to implement future transportation investments in step with corresponding tools and policies that focus on preserving existing communities and enhancing their access to economic opportunity. The study recommends community-centered policies and strategies for stations planned under Project Connect, a voter-approved transit expansion plan that includes a zero-emissions fleet, new rail system and an expanded bus system with more routes. In June 2021, City Council directed City staff to develop a systemwide ETOD Policy Plan which will build on the ETOD Strategy Framework and guide additional planning activities in other corridors. Key recommendations from this study are directly incorporated into the Plan as part of the collaborative efforts.
This project is trailblazing for CapMetro in many ways— in the intentionality to focus on equity, prioritize underrepresented voices, align transit and housing strategies across multiple agencies, as well as the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to implement policies in the advancement of major infrastructure construction.
This study will seek to meet these CapMetro, City of Austin, and community-defined key objectives for ETOD:
Goal 1: Enable All Residents to Benefit from Safe, Sustainable, and Accessible Transportation
Goal 2: Help to Close Racial Health and Wealth Gaps
Goal 3: Preserve and Increase Housing Opportunities That are Affordable and Attainable
Goal 4: Expand Access to High-Quality Jobs & Career Opportunities
Goal 5: Support Healthy Neighborhoods That Meet Daily Needs
Goal 6: Expand Austin’s Diverse Cultural Heritage and Small, BIPOC-Owned, and Legacy Businesses
Roll up your sleeves y'all
CapMetro wants your input in the next installment of the ETOD planning process. We are kicking off Station Area Vision Plans for the North Lamar Transit Center (NLTC) and the South Congress Transit Center (SCTC). Share your priorities for the future of these station areas.
- Take our survey (and enter to win a $100 gift card)
- Watch our virtual workshop recordings here.
ETOD Policy Plan
The Draft ETOD Policy Plan is a set of guidelines to help the City of Austin put equitable transit-oriented development into action. It will be presented to City Council on Thursday, March 9th, 2023.
Download Our Resources
Learn more about our key findings and executive summaries.
Explore Our Dashboards
2022 Existing Conditions Analysis uses data analysis to understand the character and trends of growth, the built environment, infrastructure and people within the study area
2022 Priority Tool provides a data-driven framework to prioritize station areas for future ETOD initiatives and investments.
Engagement Updates: We've completed Phase 3 of our study. Here's a look at what we've heard from you so far (English version) (Spanish version)
Meet Community Connectors working to support project goals.
Looking for more resources? Take a look at the Project Connect Engagement Library to explore our past projects.
Explore Existing Conditions
This ETOD study builds a foundation for policy options through case studies of other successful ETOD strategies across the country, community engagement to understand the goals and priorities of residents and workers, and the following Conditions Analysis that uses data analysis to understand the character and trends of growth, the built environment, infrastructure, and people within the study area.
The study area reflects 21 initial study stations along the Orange and Blue Lines. The existing conditions dashboard will ultimately expand to include all 98 Project Connect stations. Explore data regarding:
- Population and Demographics
- Displacement Risk
- Jobs and Businesses
- Urban Fabric
- Real Estate Market
- Mobility
ETOD 2022 Priority Tool
The ETOD 2022 Priority Tool interactive dashboard replaces CapMetro’s 2016 Priority Tool. The updated tool focuses on people and complete communities, with more sensitivity to community context and the impacts of development. The ETOD 2022 Priority Tool prioritizes station areas for future ETOD initiatives and investments, to not only minimize displacement risk but also support opportunities to achieve equitable outcomes.
Project Timeline
Working Together in Partnership
- For Equitable TOD in Austin to be successful, cross-agency collaboration is essential. CapMetro is leading the Equitable Transit-Oriented Development Study in partnership with the City of Austin (COA) and the Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) to implement future transportation investments in step with corresponding tools and policies that focus on preserving existing communities and enhancing their access to economic opportunity through quality transit.
- CapMetro also works alongside the Community Advisory Committee (CAC), a civic group formed to advise Project Connect on anti-displacement and equity matters.
