All growth increases traffic, but infill can alleviate congestion by reducing trips and encouraging alternative transportation. Bringing homes and jobs together, along with services like shopping, schools and recreation, shortens trips and makes walking and bicycling more appealing. Only higher housing densities can support transit like light rail. A major study found that in a neighborhood with 15 homes per acre, one-third fewer auto trips occur compared to a suburban tract. The bottom line is that infill is necessary for giving us transportation choices beyond the automobile.
Good designs are attractive with any number of units per acre.
Infill can be a boon for children, creating safe opportunities for play and discovery. As infill offers more transit options and closer destinations, teenagers will not be entirely dependent on their parents for transportation. Of course, successful infill designs will be attentive to a variety of special needs and enhance the lives of all people, old as well as young. Without doubt, infill development is less expensive than sprawl in the long run. The costs of sprawl are passed on to communities as higher taxes, the deterioration of local businesses, and a declining quality of life.