Expanding the Boundaries of Transit-Oriented Development with New Mobility Hubs

Abstract: Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) is an urban design strategy that transforms car-dependent suburbs into walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods centered around public transit. A key element in TOD is the concept of service areas, traditionally defined by walking distances. Urban designers often draw rings around transit stops to organize transit-supportive land uses within these radii. However, emerging mobility solutions offer opportunities to extend service areas beyond conventional walking distances, introducing new dynamics to TOD.
Mobility hubs, promoted in countries such as the UK and Sweden, exemplify this evolving approach. These hubs enhance first- and last-mile connectivity by integrating shared mobility options, such as electric cars, bikes, and scooters, at transit stations and nearby areas. By combining shared mobility with public transit, mobility hubs can extend the typical 600–800 meter walkshed to a catchment area of 5–10 kilometers, enabling smoother travel between suburban neighborhoods and transit nodes.
Basic mobility hubs may simply provide shared cars or bikes near transit stations, but such models do not cater to all users. Groups such as older adults or caregivers with multiple errands may find these systems inconvenient. Additionally, shared mobility services often struggle with vehicle redistribution, as users leave bikes or cars in scattered locations, disrupting service availability. Future mobility solutions, including shared autonomous vehicles (SAVs), could address these challenges by offering flexible, demand-responsive transportation.
SAVs offer several benefits. They could provide carpools at hubs as needed, respond to varying travel demands, and act as suburban robo-taxis during off-peak hours. In combination with SAVs, mobility hubs could take on multiple urban functions throughout the day—for instance, serving as markets, leisure spaces, or public plazas during the day and as carpool hubs at night when transit service is limited. This multifunctionality would allow hubs to function as vibrant public spaces, deeply integrated into urban life.
Despite their potential, there is still a lack of research and design guidelines for integrating mobility hubs into urban spaces. Critical aspects such as urban morphology, public space quality, and inclusive mobility remain underexplored. This study addresses these gaps by using data from suburbs in the U.S. and Sweden, applying advanced simulation techniques like activity-based modeling to assess mobility hubs' role as public spaces. The research will explore how these hubs affect travel necessities, urban spaces, and user experiences, with an emphasis on inclusivity to ensure they serve diverse populations effectively.
By investigating scenarios that incorporate SAVs, this research aims to advance TOD policy and inspire innovative approaches to urban mobility. The findings will help develop design guidelines that promote seamless intermodal travel and more sustainable transportation choices. Well-designed mobility hubs could also stimulate urban development and economic activity by functioning as intermodal nodes, leveraging both public and private mobility systems. Unlike traditional TOD, which involves comprehensive redevelopment, mobility hubs offer an incremental, adaptable approach to transitioning car-centric suburbs toward TOD-based urban environments.