C40 Good Practice Guides: London - Public Transport Accessibility Level Scoring

Summary

Transport for London (TfL – the transport authority for London) has developed a tool that rates the accessibility of locations across London to public transport, informing reduced parking standards in highly accessible areas. The Public Transport Accessibility Level (PTAL) method assesses the level of walking distances to transport stops and stations, including measuring the level of transport service and wider connectivity.^xxxvi PTAL is then used in development planning to set parking and density standards, with highly accessible areas to public transport afforded the lowest parking requirements and the highest densities.^xxxvii

Results

The PTAL scoring allows the Greater London Authority (GLA – the authority responsible for urban planning in London) to understand accessibility to public transport across the whole of London, and accordingly permit developers to reduce private vehicle provision at accessible locations. The PTAL score allows planners to identify TOD-appropriate areas and plan accordingly.

Reasons for success

PTAL is a citywide rating tool that is clear and transparent in its methodology. By making accessibility data available, PTAL enables planners to reduce minimum parking requirements in high-scoring areas close to public transport and plan appropriately for density.

When/ why a city might adopt an approach like this

Cities looking to reduce parking provision and increase developable space might use the PTAL methodology to identify areas highly accessible to public transport to inform parking provision standards. 

C40 Good Practice Guides

C40's Good Practice Guides offer mayors and urban policymakers roadmaps for tackling climate change, reducing climate risk and encouraging sustainable urban development. With 100 case studies taken from cities of every size, geography and stage of development around the world, the Good Practice Guides provide tangible examples of climate solutions that other cities can learn from. 

The Transit Oriented Development Good Practice Guide is available for download here.  The full collection of C40 Good Practice Guides is available for download here.  

All references can be found in the full guide.