Nelson\Nygaard knows that successful rail and corridor planning goes beyond engineering. Usingour expertise in system operations and different transit technologies, we will recommend the best mode for the corridor, anticipate operational problems, and quantify tradeoffs and successes so our clients achieve larger community goals through transit.

Nelson\Nygaard begins the planning process by working withclients to clarify their priorities and define success in transit terms. We develop performance tools that can calculate, in quantiative terms, the Return on Investment (ROI) for qualitative community goals such as economic development, livability, community character and social justice.

The most crucial step in rail planning is determining the technology that will best serve the community. With years of experience with light rail, heavy rail, commuter rail, streetcar and BRT systems, Nelson\Nygaard will outline the necessary land-use changes, funding opportunities and parking policy changes that each technology will require; and make recommendations based on the calculated ROI of each.

As the interface between a transit system and the local community, station area design has a major impact on a rail system’s success. Nelson\Nygaard balances the complex matrix of factors to optimize ridership and revenue for your rail system, from station location to joint development, from parking supply management to feeder transit connectivity, and multimodal factors (bike and pedestrian system improvement).