Mobility and accessibility of transit-dependent and transportation-disadvantaged (TD2) population during hurricanes
Transportation plays a critical role as a social determinant of health, especially during extreme events like hurricanes, where access to essential services and resources becomes a matter of life and death. However, transit-dependent and transportation-disadvantaged (TD2) populations, including carless, low-income, elderly, and disabled individuals, often face significant challenges evacuating and accessing healthcare and food during hurricanes. This project aims to address key knowledge gaps regarding the transportation challenges faced by TD2 populations and the effectiveness of transportation assistance offered by public and private entities in facilitating evacuations and addressing healthcare and food access needs during hurricanes. Through a mixed-method approach encompassing surveys, interviews, and statistical modeling, this study will investigate the impact of transportation-related factors on evacuation decision-making and healthcare/food access challenges. Two hurricanes (Hurricane Ida and Hurricane Idalia) which caused major harm to regions with distinct socioeconomic and built environment contexts will be studied. Survey and interview data will be collected, and geographically stratified sampling will ensure representation from TD2 populations. Descriptive and spatial analyses will be conducted to provide insights into evacuation decision-making and healthcare/food access challenges across different population groups, and statistical modeling will be conducted evaluate the importance of transportation-related factors in determining evacuation decisions and healthcare/food access challenges. Moreover, qualitative analysis of interview data will offer a nuanced understanding of how TD2 populations cope with transportation challenges during hurricanes and their perceptions of transportation assistance resources. By comparing results from Hurricanes Ida and Idalia, this research will enhance understanding of transportation challenges faced by TD2 populations and the effectiveness of transportation assistance in different geographic contexts. Findings will inform equitable hurricane preparation and emergency response practices, ensuring that transportation-disadvantaged individuals receive adequate support to evacuate safely and access essential services during and after hurricanes. Ultimately, this study seeks to improve the resilience of TD2 populations to hurricanes and other extreme events through evidence-based policy and practice recommendations. Outputs will include 1) A new survey instrument focusing on evaluating mobility and accessibility challenges faced by transit-dependent and transportation-disadvantaged populations during hurricanes. 2) A final technical report to outline our findings and provide practical insights for state and local DOTs, transit authorities, and emergency managers. 3) 1 - 2 manuscript(s) for publication and presentation.
- Record URL:
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Supplemental Notes:
- Funding: $103,000 (USDOT) + $51,500 (matching funds) = $154,500
Language
- English
Project
- Status: Active
- Funding: $154500
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Contract Numbers:
69A3552348337
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Sponsor Organizations:
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology
University Transportation Centers Program
Department of Transportation
Washington, DC United States 20590 -
Managing Organizations:
Center for Equitable Transit-Oriented Communities (CETOC)
University of New Orleans
New Orleans, LA United States -
Project Managers:
Kline, Robin
Danton, Bob
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Performing Organizations:
University of New Orleans
Department of Planning and Urban Studies
New Orleans, LA United States 70148 207 Grinter Hall
PO Box 115500
Gainesville, Florida United States 32611 -
Principal Investigators:
Tian, Guang
Yan, Xiang
- Start Date: 20241001
- Expected Completion Date: 20250930
- Actual Completion Date: 0
- USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Accessibility; Equity; Evacuation; Hurricanes; Public transit; Transportation equity
- Subject Areas: Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Society;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01928833
- Record Type: Research project
- Source Agency: Center for Equitable Transit-Oriented Communities (CETOC)
- Contract Numbers: 69A3552348337
- Files: UTC, RIP
- Created Date: Aug 26 2024 2:49PM