Homelessness: A Guide for Public Transportation

A broad array of economic and social factors, physical and mental health conditions, and public policies contribute to increases in the numbers of people experiencing homelessness, for short and long periods of time, in the United States. Public transportation systems are faced with significant increases in the number of people experiencing homelessness, including people using public transportation services and facilities as shelters. TCRP Project J-11/Task 40 is not intended to resolve the underlying influences that give rise to homelessness in our society and recognizes that these drivers are beyond the control of public transportation agencies. Rather, this project is intended to help public transportation agencies preserve the quality of their services and facilities, while respecting the rights and mobility needs of those experiencing homelessness, including the need for safe places. In 2016 TCRP published Synthesis 121, Transit Agency Practices in Interacting with People Who Are Homeless. The Synthesis included a state of the practice review and (3) six case examples of public transit agencies that present challenges, solutions, partnerships and lessons learned based on interviews with individuals involved with policies and outreach to individuals who are homeless. Many public transportation agencies are cognizant of their respective region’s homeless population. The objective of this research is to develop a guide for public transportation agencies and concerned stakeholders on effective approaches and best practices that are responsive to those who are experiencing homelessness.

• Record URL:
  http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=4889

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $100000
• Contract Numbers:

  Project J-11, Task 40

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Transit Cooperative Research Program

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC    20001

  Federal Transit Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Project Managers:

  Schwager, Dianne

• Performing Organizations:

  TREC at Portland State University

  1900 SW Fourth Ave, Suite 175
  P.O. Box 751
  Portland, Oregon  United States  97201
• Principal Investigators:

  Zapata, Marisa

• Start Date: 20201113
• Expected Completion Date: 20220831
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Best practices; Case studies; Guidelines; Homeless persons; Public transit; Stakeholders; Transit operating agencies
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Policy; Public Transportation; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01738829
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: Project J-11, Task 40
• Files: TRB, RIP
• Created Date: May 4 2020 5:23PM