Addressing Active Transportation Disparities in Low-Income Satellite Communities

Many low-income populations reside in satellite communities just outside major population centers. These individuals often lack access to personal vehicles and must rely on walking, biking, or public transit to reach essential services and destinations. However, the active transportation infrastructure connecting these satellite communities to key service centers is frequently inadequate, posing significant challenges and safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists. This project addresses these disparities in active transportation access for low-income satellite communities. The key objectives are to 1) develop a method for identifying the locations of low-income satellite communities that lack adequate active transportation infrastructure; 2) assess the specific active transportation needs and challenges faced by residents in these communities; and 3) create resources for implementing targeted interventions to improve connectivity and safety for active transportation means. The research approach will involve a comprehensive literature review, spatial data collection and analysis, integration of socioeconomic, built environment, and demographic data, and qualitative community assessments. The team will utilize geographic information system (GIS) mapping, accessibility metrics, and comparative analyses to quantify the inequities in active transportation infrastructure between low-income satellite communities and other neighborhoods. Surveys, interviews, and focus groups will provide deeper insights into the lived experiences and perceptions of residents. By addressing these disparities, the project seeks to improve access to essential services, promote social equity, and support the overall well-being of underserved populations. The anticipated outcomes include enhanced connectivity and safety for pedestrians and cyclists, increased access to opportunities, reduced transportation costs, and the development of more sustainable and equitable transportation systems. The findings and recommendations will assist transportation agencies in facilitating active transportation and improving access in low-income satellite communities.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $98,258.19
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3552348321

• 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:

  Florida A&M University, Tallahassee

  404 Foote/Hilyer
  Tallahassee, FL  United States  32307
• Project Managers:

  Moses, Ren

• Performing Organizations:

  University of Washington Tacoma

  1900 Commerce Street
  Tacoma, Washington  United States 

  Washington State Department of Transportation

  Transportation Building
  Olympia, WA  United States  98504
• Principal Investigators:

  Kitali, Angela

  Sando, Thobias

  Kidando, Emmanuel

  Kalambay, Panick

  Moses, Ren

  Walters, Jeffrey P.

  Dillon, Heather

• Start Date: 20240901
• Expected Completion Date: 20251231
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accessibility; Connectivity; Cyclists; Geographic information systems; Traffic safety; Transportation equity; Underserved communities; Vulnerable road users
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01945616
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Rural Equitable and Accessible Transportation Center
• Contract Numbers: 69A3552348321
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Feb 12 2025 4:04PM