This webinar will discuss why federal infrastructure investments matter and how these investments can advance equity and economic opportunity; lift up examples of infrastructure projects already underway that are improving communities and investing in workers who face barriers to employment; and share guiding principles for fair and equitable federal infrastructure investments.

This webinar is a discussion of equity and transportation. How can we measure the equity impacts of transportation investments? And how can we ensure that walking and biking investments meaningfully address the mobility and safety needs of urban and rural disadvantaged communities while not directly or indirectly leading to the displacement of low-income residents?

Governments and transportation agencies are growing more aware of the need to evaluate the equity impacts of transportation investments. To date, no concise framework or consistent measures have been developed for doing so. Such measures would aid in building a transportation system that provides fair access for all to jobs, goods, services, schools and other important destinations.

Mary Ebeling from SSTI speaks about early work on measuring various dimensions of transportation equity, including affordability, health and safety impacts, and ultimately accessibility across multiple modes. Erika Rincon-Whitcomb from PolicyLink speaks to background on the national transportation equity landscape, focusing on trends and opportunities in the federal arena. She also speaks about her work on prioritizing equity in California’s Active Transportation Program.

Adequate federal transportation investments can lay a strong foundation for economic growth and expand opportunity for millions of people. Strategic federal investments in transportation can transform struggling communities, unleash untapped human potential, and promote local economic development to allow all people to thrive. When transportation funding decisions are driven by economic and social equity, we can build transportation system that works for everyone, regardless of income, race or zip code.

Ride New Orleans’ analysis in this report highlights several critical findings.

1. By the end of 2012, just 36% of the pre-Katrina transit service offered by the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) in 2005 had been restored – although 86% of New Orleans’ population had returned to the city.
2. Service reductions have been worst in areas where transit service is needed most: low-income neighborhoods, communities of color, and areas where people have less access to personal vehicles
3. The RTA’s  is operating at a significant deficit every year and will soon run out of cash reserve funds. Some of the basic causes of the deficit are clear: our transit system costs more to operate than comparable systems and it charges lower fares. Yet, to date, the conversation about correcting the deficit has centered only on a potential fare increase. The findings in this report indicate that any sustainable solution to the deficit will need to involve lowering the costs of service as well as increasing revenues of all types.

Getting Home: Transportation Equity and Access to Affordable Housing highlights the need for the next surface transportation reauthorization to provide access to truly affordable housing. 

Getting Home: Transportation Equity and Access to Affordable Housing highlights the need for the next surface transportation reauthorization to provide access to truly affordable housing. 

This report is a great primer to learn about the health and equity impacts of transportation, the related challenges we face as a nation, and the opportunities for reform. It is built on a research foundation and includes policy and program priorities. 

Through the ARRA, an unprecedented volume of resources will be dispensed. The variety of government levels, agencies, and programs through which funds will be channeled, and the range of economic need throughout the country all represent the exceptional challenge of allocating the Recovery Act money. These precious resources must be clearly useful, have impact, and demonstrate to the public that government action can result in public good. To build public trust and community level ownership, steps must be taken to ensure transparent and accountable allocation of the Recovery Act’s resources. To be effective, the investments must be targeted and clearly address structural equity issues.