Addressing Active Transportation Gaps in Communities with Limited Transportation Access

Many populations with limited transportation access reside in rural residential clusters (RRCs) just outside major population centers. In the context of this research, an RRC is defined as a small, unincorporated cluster of adjacent homes located along a state highway or major county road outside the limits of any city/town limits, urban growth area, or census-designated place. These communities are under county governance and generally lack municipal services, as well as on-site essential services. They typically depend on nearby population centers or other trip generators, such as grocery stores, schools, or clinics. 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 rural residential clusters to key service centers is frequently inadequate, posing significant challenges and safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists. This project addresses these gaps in active transportation access for residents in RRCs. The key objectives are to 1) develop a method for identifying RRCs 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 community characteristics, land use, and transportation network data, as well as demographic data, and qualitative community assessments. The team will utilize geographic information system (GIS) mapping and comparative analyses to quantify the gaps in active transportation infrastructure between RRCs with limited transportation options and other neighborhoods. Surveys, interviews, and focus groups will provide deeper insights into the lived experiences and perceptions of residents. By addressing these gaps, the project seeks to improve access to essential services and support the overall transportation access and mobility for community residents. The anticipated outcomes include enhanced connectivity and safety for pedestrians and cyclists, increased access to opportunities, reduced transportation costs, and the development of more resilient and efficient transportation systems. The findings and recommendations will assist transportation agencies in facilitating active transportation and improving access in RRCs with limited transportation access.

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: Cyclists; Geographic information systems; Rural areas; Traffic safety
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Society;

Filing Info

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