<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"><channel><title>TRB Publications Index</title><link>http://pubsindex.trb.org/</link><atom:link href="http://pubsindex.trb.org/common/TRIS Suite/feeds/rss.aspx?tc=NN%3ACsije" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /><description></description><language>en-us</language><copyright>Copyright © 2015. National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.</copyright><docs>http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss</docs><managingEditor>tris-trb@nas.edu (Bill McLeod)</managingEditor><webMaster>tris-trb@nas.edu (Bill McLeod)</webMaster><image><title>TRB Publications Index</title><url>http://pubsindex.trb.org/Images/PageHeader-wTitle.png</url><link>http://pubsindex.trb.org/</link></image><item><title>Equity Implications of Shared Micro-Mobility in the Suburbs: A Spatial Analysis of Shared E-Scooter Use in Different Built and Social Environments</title><link>http://pubsindex.trb.org/view/2628307</link><description><![CDATA[Electric-powered standing kick scooters, otherwise known as e-scooters, have recently been introduced in hundreds of cities around the world as part of rent-to-use shared micro-mobility systems. Despite being a potentially sustainable and equitable travel mode, relatively little analysis has been done on the impact of shared micro-mobility on transportation equity, specifically in the suburban context. The shared e-scooter pilot program in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, presents an opportunity to examine this topic within the context of a Canadian suburban community. Our study explores the use of shared e-scooters (trips per sq km per day) in Brampton, in relationship to suburban built environment types and social and economic marginalization at the neighborhood level. First, a Getis-Ord Gi* (local “hot spot”) analysis identified localized hot-spots of shared e-scooter demand and implied that, at least in some contexts, higher trip rates are concentrated in marginalized neighborhoods. Next, spatial regression analysis (spatial lag model) demonstrated associations between dimensions of marginalization and e-scooter use rate, where higher rates of shared e-scooter use were observed in neighborhoods that have higher household instability, and higher concentrations of racialized and immigrant populations. The findings also suggest that the benefits of shared e-scooters may not be different in neighborhoods with high concentration of economically marginalized population, or low labor force participation. In addition, no relationship was observed between built environment types and e-scooter use. Findings will inform future micro-mobility policy in North American suburban areas, while contributing to the growing body of work on e-scooter use and equity.]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 24 Nov 2025 15:07:00 GMT</pubDate><guid>http://pubsindex.trb.org/view/2628307</guid></item><item><title>Spatially Equitable Allocation of Medical Resources for Pandemic Containment: A Service Level-Based Approach</title><link>http://pubsindex.trb.org/view/2611208</link><description><![CDATA[Minimizing the total expected shortage of medical resources is a critical policy concern for protecting against the COVID-19 pandemic and future health emergencies. Equity in distribution is a paramount principle when implementing medical resource allocation mechanisms during such crises. Reserve systems can effectively address several significant limitations of existing allocation mechanisms. In this article, we address the antiviral drug allocation problem, focusing on the government’s strategy to allocate limited physical stockpiles and manage emergency procurement from the spot market. We employ the normal distribution to characterize the fluctuation in demand for antiviral drugs at the aggregate level. Utilizing a spatial equitable allocation model, we derive the government’s optimal allocation policy based on service level. Our findings indicate that to effectively reduce the total expected shortage of antiviral drugs, the government should prioritize a higher service level in regions with greater demand fluctuations. Furthermore, incorporating an allocation mechanism that considers capital reserves enhances the government’s flexibility in equitably distributing antiviral drugs amid uncertain demand. A key determinant of this flexibility is the emergency procurement price in the spot market. This study offers a framework for service level-based considerations in medical resource allocation, highlighting the importance of balancing efficiency and equity in the complex context of epidemic control.]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 15:50:30 GMT</pubDate><guid>http://pubsindex.trb.org/view/2611208</guid></item><item><title>Equity Considerations for Emerging Technologies in Transportation: A Comparative Study of Planning Practices in the United States and South Korea</title><link>http://pubsindex.trb.org/view/2611126</link><description><![CDATA[Emerging technologies, such as mobility as a service, autonomous vehicles, and artificial intelligence, are transforming the transportation planning paradigm. However, there is a significant gap in understanding how transportation planning agencies are considering the impact of these technologies on vulnerable communities. This study addresses this gap by investigating the different approaches agencies are using to assess the equity implications of emerging technologies. A comparative analysis was performed on the US and South Korea, where smart transportation systems are extensively piloted and implemented. In total, 36 planning documents, 20 from the US and 16 from South Korea, were analyzed to measure the extent to which social equity, emerging technologies, and their equity implications are reflected in long-term planning documents. Our findings reveal that over half the agencies in both countries include equity in their vision and goals, US Metropolitan Planning Organizations tend to focus on impact considerations, whereas South Korean agencies monitor technology trends. Only four of the 36 agencies examined considered the equity implications of technology through alternative scenario planning, modeling, research studies, and pricing considerations. These results highlight the need for further efforts to protect vulnerable populations from potential impacts. This study contributes to the existing literature by providing a contextual understanding of equity considerations in the deployment of emerging technologies and offers practical insights for policymakers and industry practitioners. It may provide a catalyst for integrating equity into the planning and implementation of smart transportation systems, ensuring that these technologies benefit all members of society.]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 08:42:53 GMT</pubDate><guid>http://pubsindex.trb.org/view/2611126</guid></item><item><title>Assessing Disparities in Road Transport Services in Kenya: Geographic Information System and Machine Learning Approach</title><link>http://pubsindex.trb.org/view/2604227</link><description><![CDATA[Regional disparities in road infrastructure access in Kenya hinder socioeconomic development and challenge progress toward the Vision 2030 goals. This study addresses spatial inequality in transport provision by developing a transport network need index (TNNI) based on socioeconomic indicators and comparing it with existing road network density, termed transport network provision (TNP). The difference between TNNI and TNP yields the index of disparity between needs and provision (IDNP), identifying counties that are over- or under-served relative to their development needs. Machine learning models are employed to predict road density based on socioeconomic features, with the best-performing model selected through accuracy metrics. Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) are used to interpret the model and determine the empirical importance of each input feature. These SHAP-based weights are compared with literature-based weights used in TNNI to assess disparities in factor prioritization. Results highlight critical spatial disparities, with counties such as Turkana, Wajir, and Mandera falling into the most under-served category (IDNP?&gt;0.8). SHAP analysis reveals that population density is the dominant driver of current road provision (56.8% weight), while poverty and unemployment, despite their policy relevance, are underrepresented in actual infrastructure allocation. This twofold analysis—identifying both regional service gaps through IDNP and mismatches in factor prioritization—provides critical insights for policymakers. By pinpointing under-served regions and highlighting which socioeconomic drivers are being overlooked, the study offers a robust, data-driven framework for guiding equitable infrastructure investments, advancing transport justice, and supporting diversity and inclusion in Kenya’s road transport planning.]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 29 Sep 2025 15:13:19 GMT</pubDate><guid>http://pubsindex.trb.org/view/2604227</guid></item><item><title>Review of Mileage-Based User Fees for Sustainable Transportation Funding: Challenges, Opportunities, and Research Gaps</title><link>http://pubsindex.trb.org/view/2600585</link><description><![CDATA[Decarbonization trends in the transportation sector through vehicle electrification, combined with the declining efficacy of the fuel tax, have necessitated sustainable transportation Funding solutions. One such solution is the mileage-based user fee (MBUF) or the vehicle miles traveled fee, which charges drivers based on distance traveled. Over the past decade, pilot programs and research reports have evaluated MBUF’s feasibility and benefits from diverse viewpoints. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the existing literature on MBUF, focusing on modeling and methodological aspects, incorporating empirical findings from technical reports and pilot programs, and comparing MBUF with other road pricing methods, particularly administrative costs, technological requirements, and interoperability across state boundaries and fee structures. Key areas of investigation include system-level impacts (such as revenue potential and rate setting) and individual-level impacts (such as equity and privacy). Equity considerations are further analyzed; that is, social (income- and demographic-based), geographic (rural versus urban), and modal equity. The review highlights the limited research on the long-term equity impacts of MBUF and the critical need to understand behavioral impacts under the evolving policy landscape. The challenges, opportunities, and research gaps associated with MBUF are discussed, emphasizing the need for data-driven behavioral models and a systematic approach to transportation Funding.]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 18 Sep 2025 15:11:57 GMT</pubDate><guid>http://pubsindex.trb.org/view/2600585</guid></item><item><title>From “What is Gender?” to “Not My Job”: Institutional Barriers and A Framework to Mainstream Gender in Transportation Planning</title><link>http://pubsindex.trb.org/view/2596595</link><description><![CDATA[Gender mainstreaming aims to achieve gender equality by transforming organizational practices and eliminating biases. This paper examines the aspirations and readiness of local transport planning institutions to mainstream gender considerations into their policies and processes. Specifically, I ask, how do policy makers and transport planners interpret and approach gender mainstreaming in cities in the Global South, and how does integrating “gender” alter the existing planning institutional practices (if at all)? Through an institutional ethnography of Panchkula Municipal Corporation, involving document analysis, in-depth interviews with planning actors and stakeholders, and observation-based methods, this paper highlights the difficulties local institutions face in transitioning toward a gender-sensitive planning paradigm. The findings indicated that transportation planning in Panchkula is the product of an informal institution, in which both formal rules and informal practices shape transport infrastructure investments. Without a strong policy commitment to gender mainstreaming, existing inequalities persist. Interviews revealed problematic attitudes, ranging from ambivalence about why gender mainstreaming is important to dismissive “not my job” attitudes rooted in patriarchal norms hindering daily planning practices in Panchkula. Additionally, a lack of gender training and male dominance in planning institutions negatively affected planning methods and outcomes. The paper proposes a conceptual framework linking the identified barriers to the practice of transportation planning, highlighting potential areas for intervention to effectively mainstream gender in transportation. To operationalize change, a polycentric approach to gender mainstreaming, involving coordinated interventions across multiple fronts and different levels of governance is recommended.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 10 Sep 2025 17:05:47 GMT</pubDate><guid>http://pubsindex.trb.org/view/2596595</guid></item><item><title>Evacuation Needs of Homeless People in Waikiki, O‘ahu</title><link>http://pubsindex.trb.org/view/2582064</link><description><![CDATA[The challenges facing emergency managers and transportation planners in evacuating homeless individuals are exacerbated by the increasing threats from climate change and continued growth in homeless populations. This study examines homeless evacuation alternatives in Waikiki, O‘ahu, a dense urban resort destination exposed to coastal hazards. In addition to the problems of identifying homeless individuals and notifying them of impending threats and risks, there are challenges in transporting individuals to safe zones outside of harm’s way. This study evaluated the effectiveness of public and private transportation alternatives for evacuating homeless individuals.?Decision trees were used to estimate the evacuation response and fatality rates during tsunamis at 3 p.m. and 3 a.m. and hurricane events. The study investigated evacuation alternatives: 1) do nothing, 2) bus evacuation, and 3) community-assisted evacuation. The research demonstrated that combining public and private transportation resources could significantly improve the survival rates of homeless individuals during evacuation. With combined public and private transportation assets, homeless survival rates were estimated to increase by 10.33% for tsunami and 39.76% for hurricane scenarios. Investigation of new collaborative strategies and improved coordination in emergency evacuation planning will save even more lives and enhance social equity during disasters.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 29 Jul 2025 09:46:13 GMT</pubDate><guid>http://pubsindex.trb.org/view/2582064</guid></item><item><title>Inequity-Averse Pavement Maintenance and Rehabilitation Budget Allocation Incorporating Gini Index and Social Vulnerability</title><link>http://pubsindex.trb.org/view/2572387</link><description><![CDATA[Highway authorities create and implement pavement maintenance and rehabilitation (M&amp;R) programs to keep pavement conditions at a suitable level. Highway agencies generally face financial uncertainty for initiatives involving pavement repair and restoration because of limited resources and fluctuating government policies. Furthermore, natural and manufactured hazards, as well as rising concerns about inequity and ecology in the face of limited resources, make maintaining the pavement network at user-satisfactory standards significantly more difficult. In addition, recent research has found evidence of inequity and social injustice in tranportation policy and decision making. In this paper, a pavement M&amp;R scheduling and budget allocation model is explored, with consideration in the formulation gives to maximization of average network condition, minimization of a horizontal equity measure (Gini index), and prioritization of pavement M&amp;R based on social vulnerability. The uncertainty of available budget is modeled as a chance-constrained optimization problem. The proposed model provides an M&amp;R program for the pavement network that achieves certain levels of equity vertically and horizontally. A case study examining the pavement network from Rockwall, Texas is conducted. The solutions for different chances of budget constraint are presented. Also, the value of the system to the decision maker is discussed. The results show that the proposed model is a practical and flexible way to include equity considerations in the management of pavement maintenance at the network level.]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 11 Jul 2025 08:39:01 GMT</pubDate><guid>http://pubsindex.trb.org/view/2572387</guid></item><item><title>Urban Intersections and the Analysis of Pedestrian Injuries with Built-Environment and Equity Considerations</title><link>http://pubsindex.trb.org/view/2571903</link><description><![CDATA[In the United States, pedestrian traffic injuries have increased by 75% over the last 13?years. In Oregon, pedestrian deaths have increased by more than 100% during the same period. This increase necessitates a better understanding of the contributing factors to pedestrian injury frequency. This work addresses this need by analyzing the contributing factors to pedestrian injury frequency by severity (all injuries versus serious injuries) at urban intersections in Oregon. This work further advances the state of the practice by including measures of social equity and potential exposure surrogates owing to the unavailability of pedestrian exposure data. Two models were developed, one for all pedestrian injuries and one for serious pedestrian injuries. The results indicated that equity measures are key contributing factors to pedestrian injury frequency for both injury categories. Additional commonalities included built-environment characteristics and speed limits. The results further suggest that potential surrogates for pedestrian exposure could be viable proxies if pedestrian exposure data are unavailable. Regardless of injury type, this work provides evidence that pedestrian treatment strategies should be focused in low-income areas and on higher classification roadways where pedestrian activity is present.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 09 Jul 2025 13:58:40 GMT</pubDate><guid>http://pubsindex.trb.org/view/2571903</guid></item><item><title>Barriers, Adoption, and Use of a Bike-Sharing System: A Market-Segment Approach to Current and Potential Users in Montréal, Canada</title><link>http://pubsindex.trb.org/view/2569689</link><description><![CDATA[Bike-sharing systems have gained considerable traction as a solution to many urban transport challenges. (Note that, in this paper, “bike” means “bicycle,” not “motorbike”.) Limited research has explored the market dynamics driving bike-sharing usage among different population segments. This study is the first to apply a market-segmenting approach to analyze factors influencing both existing and potential users’ adoption of a bike-sharing system in Montréal, Canada. Utilizing a bilingual online survey conducted in spring, 2024, this research investigates the factors that limit or prevent the use of a large-scale bicycle-sharing system—Bixi—among different population groups. This work applies factor and k-means cluster analyses to identify distinct profiles within existing users (N?=?561) and non-users (N?=?763) of Bixi. The findings reveal key barriers faced both by users and non-users, particularly highlighting the need for expanding station availability in underserved areas. These findings address important equity issues. Measures to address cost and membership-related challenges would have the greatest impact on bringing low-income non-users into the system, while improving mobile technology accessibility would have the most significant effect on increasing adoption among younger, low-income groups. These insights can be of interest to policy developers aiming to expand bike-sharing systems service quality, enhance its resilience, and promote more equitable outcomes.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 01 Jul 2025 13:55:57 GMT</pubDate><guid>http://pubsindex.trb.org/view/2569689</guid></item><item><title>7th International Conference on Women and Gender in Transportation</title><link>http://pubsindex.trb.org/view/2559153</link><description><![CDATA[The 7th International Conference on Women and Gender in Transportation (WGiT 2024) brought together professionals, researchers, and policymakers in Irvine, CA, from September 9 through 11, 2024. Organized by the Transportation Research Board, the conference provided a platform to discuss challenges and opportunities related to gender equity in transportation systems worldwide. Over three days, discussions centered on the intersection of gender, mobility, and transportation policy, emphasizing the need for systemic change to ensure equitable access and participation for all. With a focus on women’s experiences as transportation users, gender dynamics in the workforce, and institutional pathways for leadership and policy change, WGiT 2024 highlighted progress, ongoing barriers to progress, and strategies for driving meaningful transformation. Speakers, panelists, and participants explored a range of topics, including disparities in access to mobility, the role of gender in transportation workforce recruitment and retention, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics to address transportation inequities, and persistent concerns related to safety and security in transit environments. Discussions underscored the importance of intersectional approaches, considering gender alongside race, socioeconomic status, disability, and other dimensions of identity to ensure transportation systems are inclusive and accessible.]]></description><pubDate>Sun, 01 Jun 2025 18:15:43 GMT</pubDate><guid>http://pubsindex.trb.org/view/2559153</guid></item><item><title>Exploring the Equity Impact: Analyzing the Relationship between Railroad Safety and Sociodemographic Factors</title><link>http://pubsindex.trb.org/view/2559584</link><description><![CDATA[This study presents an analysis approach to demonstrate the patterns between railroad safety and sociodemographic factors such as income, race, education level, and age. The research aims to investigate railroad safety equity by considering the distribution of demographics in proximity to high-risk grade crossings (GX) (called “level crossings” in other countries) and rail lines, with emphasis on injuries related to trespassing. First, the change in demographic distributions across various risk levels was tested using the Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by Dunn’s test. Next, a custom-designed dashboard was developed after fusing Federal Railroad Administration crash and injury data with sociodemographic information obtained from the U.S. census. The findings revealed a consistent pattern of disproportional sociodemographics residing near higher risk rail lines (based on crash frequency) and GX. From an equity perspective, the results demonstrate a significant disparity in the exposure of certain demographic groups to high-risk rail lines and GX. Disadvantaged communities were found to be more concentrated near high-risk rail lines and GX. This spatial concentration of vulnerable populations near high-risk areas emphasizes the need for targeted interventions and policy measures to mitigate the risks faced by disproportionately affected communities. The findings of this research underscore the significance of integrating demographic data into transportation safety risk assessment frameworks and safety planning. By taking into account the socioeconomic factors that influence safety risk exposure, transportation authorities and policymakers can develop focused strategies to address the unique needs and challenges of different communities.]]></description><pubDate>Sun, 01 Jun 2025 18:15:43 GMT</pubDate><guid>http://pubsindex.trb.org/view/2559584</guid></item><item><title>Perceived Accessibility for Women: First-Mile Trips to Transit-Oriented Developments</title><link>http://pubsindex.trb.org/view/2554136</link><description><![CDATA[First- and last-mile trips significantly influence public transport ridership. This study contributes to the understanding of perceived accessibility for women in first-mile trips by considering intersectionality of land use diversity and first-mile mode choices. Trips to 12 transit-oriented development (ToD) stations across Auckland city, New Zealand, were analyzed. An equity perspective is considered by selecting ToD sites with varying land-use diversity index scores and distances traveled. Around 500 public transport riders responded to an online survey and the sample closely represents Auckland’s population. Data were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis to determine the perceived accessibility and perceived personal security scores of women in comparison with men. Findings provide statistically significant evidence of gendered differences in access to ToDs. Women are more likely to walk to ToD stations than men and they are more likely to walk within a distance of 1?km (~0.62?mi). High-intensity land use positively influences women’s perception of ease of accessing stations. This suggests women’s restricted access to cars, and highlights that walkable ToDs are more beneficial for women. Overall, findings highlight the need for disaggregated data to incorporate a gendered perspective in the design of inclusive public transport systems. As more cities develop strategies to increase ridership, it is crucial to examine travel patterns through a gender equity lens to ensure the travel needs of women are considered, particularly those who are often marginalized.]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 19 May 2025 17:31:57 GMT</pubDate><guid>http://pubsindex.trb.org/view/2554136</guid></item><item><title>Illuminating Issues in Bus Stop Lighting: A Case Study of Los Angeles</title><link>http://pubsindex.trb.org/view/2551060</link><description><![CDATA[Providing adequate nighttime lighting at bus stops is integral to providing safe, comfortable, and gender-equitable transit services. Despite the volume of research establishing the importance of bus stop lighting, little research has been done to understand the distribution of adequate lighting at bus stops. This research uses Los Angeles, U.S., as a case study and draws on the results from over 200 nighttime environmental assessments conducted at bus stops in three neighborhoods to describe the adequacy of lighting at stops and the determinants of lighting levels. The results show that only about half of the assessed stops were adequately lit and only about a quarter were well-lit. Lighting deficiencies were particularly concentrated in certain geographic areas, and stops were the most likely to be poorly lit in the lowest-income neighborhood included in the study. The presence of a bus shelter with integrated lighting is the most significant determinant of bus stop lighting levels, but the lighting levels at the nearest streetlight and proximity to well-lit buildings also significantly affect bus stop lighting. This research then compares these findings with analysis of data on streetlight locations to investigate the limitations of using existing public data to assess nighttime lighting when other data are not available. The results show that analyses of streetlight locations can paint an incomplete or even misleading picture of trends in the distribution of adequate lighting within cities or transit systems, illustrating the importance of collecting data on actual lighting outcomes at bus stops.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 13 May 2025 10:37:15 GMT</pubDate><guid>http://pubsindex.trb.org/view/2551060</guid></item><item><title>Leading Practices in Equitable Decision Making to Support Societal Goals within Transportation Agencies</title><link>http://pubsindex.trb.org/view/2535022</link><description><![CDATA[This report presents the findings of a domestic scan of equitable decision-making within transportation agencies. The purpose of this scan is to examine noteworthy practices and methods to develop and activate organizational missions centered on advancing safety and equity in transportation. Team members used amplifying questions to explore innovative safety and equity practices, stakeholder engagement, successful implementation of workforce and project equity plans, and specific organizational factors that lead to successful organizational mission implementation of advancing societal goals. For the first time, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has integrated equity as a central, department-wide strategic goal. This represents a timely shift in the transportation planning industry and the way state departments of transportation (DOTs) view and deliver transportation programs. Definitions of equity in transportation vary across DOTs, illustrating the need for best practices and models for integrating this concept. Using a domestic scan model, team members conducted a desk scan of Departments of Transportation from across the United States to identify innovative practices in equitable decision-making. Upon review of the desk scan compilation, the scan team invited eight DOTs to participate in a virtual scan meeting and provided a series of amplifying questions to reflect upon prior. This report discusses best practices and recommendations in a case study approach to reflect the variety of perspectives and approaches to equity in transportation agencies. Case studies are presented through five overarching approaches identified by the scan team: (1) organizational structure, equity, and people, (2) programming, (3) policies, (4) partnerships, and (5) performance measures. Recommendations and guiding conclusions are presented as part of the scan findings.]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 21 Apr 2025 12:03:30 GMT</pubDate><guid>http://pubsindex.trb.org/view/2535022</guid></item></channel></rss>