Effects that elevated transit stations in residential neighborhoods have on the value of single-family homes are debatable. Some contend that the effects are adverse, because transit stations impose noise, traffic, and other nuisances on neighborhoods. These effects result in declining house values. Others contend that stations improve the accessibility of neighborhood residents to commercial activitycenters. This convenience results in increasing house values. Whichview is correct? Are both influences present? If so, which influence dominates, and what is the revealed price gradient of homes with respect to distance from elevated transit stations? Elevated transit stations in single-family residential neighborhoods in and around atlanta, georgia, are analyzed. Transit planning in atlanta is summarized, design and planning concessions made in response to vocal neighborhood groups are reviewed, a theory that considers both the positive and negative influences such stations may have on single-family house value is introduced, and the association between neighborhood-oriented elevated transit stations and single-family house values is analyzed. Although both positive and negative influences may have been present, the revealed price gradient was positive in the study area. These results suggest that a planning and design process aimed at preserving established neighborhoods may be successful in minimizing the adverse effects of elevated transit stations on single-familyhousing values. This paper appears in transportation research record no. 1266, Urban public transportation research 1990.
Abstract