01480221

Component

This research fills a critical gap in the literature by assessing the extent to which existing and planned rail investments will provide access to those who are most likely to benefit from and use transit. Previous literature demonstrates that access to public transit for the least advantaged can play a critical role in facilitating social and economic well-being, and in supporting transit effectiveness goals. However, many scholars warn that rail transit investments may not serve transit-reliant populations to the extent they should. This study assumes a transportation equity lens to evaluate the extent to which there is evidence to support this concern. A series of standard and spatial statistical tools are used to examine differences between census tracts with and without rail access, as well as to identify the socio-economic characteristics that best predict whether a census tract will be served by rail. Spatial variations in the chance of rail access for low-income, high-renter, and high-minority tracts are also explored. Results yield little support for concerns that rail transit in the Denver metro will not benefit disadvantaged groups; rather, transit-reliant groups are expected to enjoy high levels of access. However, results should be approached with a cautious optimism, particularly with regard for low-income households, which could be experiencing diminished chances of access, a result that would undercut both equity and effectiveness. Findings indicate a critical need to mitigate for increased housing costs and ensure that equitable access to transit is maintained.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee ADD20 Social and Economic Factors of Transportation.

01470560

13-4571

English

17p

2013

Transportation Research Board 92nd Annual Meeting

Digital/other

Figures; References; Tables

Equity; Evaluation and assessment; Investments; Low income groups; Rail transit; Socioeconomic factors; Spatial analysis; Transportation disadvantaged persons

Denver Metropolitan Area

Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Society; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2013 Paper #13-4571

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Feb 5 2013 12:59PM