TDM Toolbox

Mitigation Calculator

Subsector: Neighborhood Design
Mobility Hubs
VMT Reduction Potential: 3
Cost: 4
ROI: 2
CVAG Relevancy: 5
Land Use Content: Urban, Suburban
Trip Type: School, Residential, Commute, Recreation
Scale: Regional, Community
Timing: Mid-term (3-10 years)
Implementors-Private: Developers (Employment), Developers (Residential)
Implementors-Public: Municipalities, Regional Agencies, Transit Agencies
References: Victoria Transport Institute Online TDM Encyclopedia, Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG’s) Mobility Hubs Strategic Implementation Plan, Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant

Description

Developing multimodal mobility hubs co-locates multiple non-Single Occupancy Vehicle transportation options to facilitate seamless travel transitions which makes using transit and other non-single occupancy vehicle modes of transportation more convenient.

Implementation Details

  • Prioritize installation of mobility hubs at SunLine transfer points, key intersections on CV Link, and regional destinations. Consider places such as The Shops at Palm Desert, near or on the secondary education campuses, and future rail stations.
  • Incorporate considerations for mobility hubs into future multimodal corridor planning efforts.
  • Include amenities like sheltered seating, digital wayfinding kiosks, e-bike docks, bikeshare, EV charging, and parcel lockers.
  • Integrate SunRide and Mobility on Demand pickups with wayfinding to encourage seamless mode transfers.
  • Coordinate with local jurisdictions to adopt SCAG’s Mobility Hubs Strategic Implementation Plan to identify priority locations and align capital planning.

Mitigation Potential

Mobility hubs can increase accessibility to transit, walking, biking, ridesharing, bike sharing, and carpooling. When coordinated, mobility hubs can offer convenient mobility alternative to private vehicles, reducing VMT.

For more details, see Victoria Transport Policy Institute – Mobility Hubs for VMT reduction quantification.

Linked Strategies

Equity Considerations

Mobility hubs promote transportation equity by integrating multiple travel options in one accessible location. Locating hubs in underserved areas can improve mobility for residents without personal vehicles. Ensuring that hubs are designed for universal access, including safe crossings, shade, real-time info, and multilingual signage, helps reduce barriers for low-income and disabled riders.

Funding Sources

Likely requires significant initial funding to construct, plus continued funding for maintenance and operations. Active transportation grants and other one-time sources are available (though competitive). Such funding sources include the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (Caltrans), the Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program – Sustainable Communities – Competitive and Technical (Caltrans), the Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility Grants (Federal Transit Administration), and the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program (U.S. Department of Transportation).

Examples/Case Studies

SCAG Mobility Hubs Implementation Program

SCAG piloted mobility hubs in Southern California communities like Downtown Riverside and North Hollywood, integrating transit with bike share, EV chargers, real-time signage, and wayfinding. These hubs were planned to enhance access and reduce car dependency (Source: SCAG Mobility Hubs Strategic Implementation Plan).

San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Smart Mobility Hubs

SANDAG’s Regional Mobility Hub Strategy identifies locations for hubs connecting TNCs, micromobility, and transit. It emphasizes first/last mile connectivity in priority corridors including Otay Mesa and downtown San Diego (Source: SANDAG Mobility Hub Strategy).