There is evidence that existing transit-oriented development (TOD) patterns — usually
developments in older areas already well served by transit — have higher transit ridership
rates than newer auto-oriented areas. This has led many to conclude that new transitoriented
developments will have a large impact on transit ridership. For this to happen, one
or both of two things have to occur: A high percentage of people moving to new transitoriented
developments will need to be former auto-oriented residents who change their
behavior. Or, the neotraditional developments will have to attract transit-oriented residents
from older, traditional neighborhoods who will bring their transit-using behavior with
them. In all likelihood the residents of new TODs will come from both groups. However,there is little evidence to suggest that these new residents will not be fairly auto dependent
as well.