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<br /> OPT Short Range Transit Plan <br /> <br />Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates, Inc. | 2-3 <br /> <br /> <br />MARKET ANALYSIS <br />Population and Employment Density <br />Population and employment densities are key drivers of transit demand. In general, a population <br />density of seven people per acre is needed to support fixed-route transit. In Orange County, <br />Chapel Hill, particularly around UNC, and downtown Carrboro have the greatest densities of <br />population and employment in the county (Figure 2-1). There is very low population and <br />employment densities in Orange County outside of downtown Chapel Hill and Carrboro. <br />The low densities suggest that two different service delivery types may be successful—park-and- <br />ride based commuter services and lifeline demand response type services. OPT operates both <br />right now. <br />Figure 2-1 Population and Employment Density in Orange and Durham Counties