Inclusive and Accessible Transportation for All: Strategies for Integrating Equity in Transportation Research
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. The Concept of Equity
2.1. Horizontal Equity
2.2. Vertical Equity
2.3. Vertical Equity: Inclusivity and Accommodation of Mobility Needs and Abilities
2.4. Vertical Equity: Social Class and Affordability and Consideration of Income Disparities
2.5. How Is Transportation Equity Measured?
2.6. Costs and Benefits
2.7. Identification of Population and Social Groups
2.8. Distributive Principles and Criteria
2.9. Consequences of Equity Incorporation
3. Transportation Equity Measuring Tools, Indicators, and Models
3.1. Accessibility
3.2. Affordability
3.3. Service Quality
3.4. Transportation Equity Models
4. Transportation Planning
5. Transportation Policies
5.1. Congestion Pricing
5.2. Transit-Oriented Development
5.3. Vision Zero
6. Factors for Developing Equity in Transportation Planning
- (a)
- Demographic Analysis: The analysis of population parameters, such as age, race, gender, English proficiency, and household composition, provides transportation professionals with the ability to identify equitable and effective solutions and strategies that meet the most pressing needs of diverse communities.
- (b)
- Socioeconomic Considerations: Recognizing the challenges confronted by specific socioeconomic groups, particularly in accessing affordable and reliable transit options, can lead to planning efforts that better connect individuals to essential services, employment opportunities, and educational resources.
- (c)
- Transportation Systems and Land Use: Integrating transportation systems with land use planning strategically influences how resources are allocated and improves connectivity within communities. This approach ensures that transportation networks are developed in congruence with urban planning initiatives, culminating in more efficient and accessible mobility systems.
7. Conclusions and Future Research
Author Contributions
Funding
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Transportation Research | Equitable Actions/Measures | Tools | Procedures | Effect/Outcomes | References | Limitations | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Accessibility and Connectivity | Develop equity measures for public transit connectivity; compare connectivity across different socio-economic groups. | Connectivity metrics; GIS (Geographic Information Systems). | Analyze transit connectivity indices using GIS; assess disparities in accessibility. | Improved understanding of connectivity equity; identified areas with low connectivity affecting disadvantaged groups. | [51] | Limited to specific geographic areas; may not capture all aspects of accessibility | Focuses on the spatial distribution of connectivity; useful for identifying inequities in transit access. |
Measure equity using transit connectivity metrics; develop strategies for improving service in underserved areas. | Connectivity indices; data on transit routes and service frequencies. | Applied connectivity metrics to evaluate equity; develop recommendations based on findings. | Enhanced measures for evaluating equity; provided recommendations for improving transit service in underserved areas. | [52] | May not address all dimensions of equity; reliant on the accuracy of connectivity data. | Provides actionable recommendations for enhancing equity in transit provision; focuses on service improvements. | |
Implementation of pro-poor public transport subsidies; focus on affordability and accessibility improvements for low-income populations. | Statistical analysis (regression analysis, descriptive statistics); accessibility and affordability metrics; and survey data. | Regression analysis to evaluate the relationship between subsidies and measures of accessibility and affordability; use of descriptive statistics to summarize survey data and measure the impact of subsidies on low-income users. | Improved accessibility and affordability for low-income groups; identified gaps in subsidy coverage and effectiveness. | [53] | Context-specific to Bogotá; may not be generalizable to other regions with different economic and social conditions. | Provides a detailed assessment of the effectiveness of targeted subsidies in improving transport access and affordability for low-income residents in an urban setting. | |
Transportation Infrastructure | Use accessibility measures to evaluate social equity in public transport provision. | Accessibility analysis; GIS. | Measured accessibility to public transport before and after infrastructure projects. | Improved understanding of which populations benefit from new infrastructure. | [32] | Focuses mainly on public transport; may not cover all modes of transportation. | Highlights the need for accessibility measures in planning for equitable outcomes. |
Incorporate equity considerations in transport infrastructure evaluation. | Multicriteria analysis (MCA); Cost–Benefit Analysis (CBA). | Integrate equity criteria into evaluation frameworks; propose new methodology. | Enhanced evaluation processes; better inclusion of equity considerations. | [36] | The methodology may be complex to implement and requires comprehensive data. | Proposes a new approach for systematically including equity in infrastructure evaluation. | |
Incorporate social equity in infrastructure planning and delivery. | Web-based tool; Equity Assessment Tools. | Developed and implemented a web-based tool to help planners incorporate social equity considerations in the planning and delivery of transportation infrastructure. | Enhanced ability of planners to consider and incorporate social equity in their decision-making processes; improved infrastructure outcomes for disadvantaged groups. | [54] | Dependence on the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the data input into the tool; potential user bias in interpreting tool outputs. | Demonstrates the practical application of technology in enhancing equity considerations in infrastructure planning and delivery. | |
Transportation Planning | Plan for transportation equity in small regions; developing meaningful performance assessments. | Performance assessment tools; GIS. | Established performance measures that reflect equity considerations and apply these measures to small regional transportation plans. | Improved identification and understanding of equity issues in small regional transportation planning; more targeted and effective interventions. | [55] | Limited scope to small regions, may not be directly applicable to larger urban areas; relies on availability and accuracy of local data. | Provides valuable insights for addressing transportation equity in smaller regions’ highlighting the importance of context-specific performance measures. |
Systematically incorporating equity considerations in transportation planning. | Equity evaluation frameworks, guidelines; performance metrics; and indicators. | Reviewed existing literature and practices to propose a comprehensive framework for including equity in transportation planning. | A more structured approach to transportation planning that ensures that equity considerations are systematically included, leading to more equitable transportation outcomes. | [14] | Implementation challenges due to varying definitions and interpretations of equity, potential resistance from stakeholders to adopt new frameworks. | Emphasizes the need for a comprehensive and systematic approach to integrating equity in transportation planning to achieve fairer outcomes. | |
Critical evaluation of equity objectives and measures in urban transportation plans in North America. | Equity objectives and measures evaluation; content analysis; comparative analysis. | Analyzed transportation plans to evaluate how well they integrate social equity considerations and identify gaps and areas for improvement. | Enhanced integration of social equity in transportation plans; identification of best practices and common shortcomings. | [2] | May not account for local contextual differences; reliance on the availability of detailed transportation plans for analysis. | Provides a comprehensive critique and recommendations for improving the integration of equity in urban transportation planning. | |
Environmental Transportation Studies | Reduce exposure to particulate air pollution during active travel to promote health in urban planning. | Air pollution models; GIS; health impact assessments. | Analyzed air pollution exposure levels associated with active travel; integrated low-exposure planning into urban design. | Improved planning strategies to reduce air pollution exposure during active travel, leading to healthier urban environments and increased public health benefits. | [56] | Data may be limited by the availability of air quality measurements; model accuracy may vary. | Emphasizes the importance of integrating air quality considerations into urban planning to enhance health outcomes for active travelers. |
Address equity concerns in protecting transportation infrastructure from sea level rise. | Sea level rise models; equity assessment tools (e.g., vulnerability assessments). | Evaluating the impact of sea level rise on transportation infrastructure; identifying vulnerable communities; proposing equity-focused protection measures. | Enhanced understanding of the equity implications of sea level rise on transportation infrastructure, leading to more equitable adaptation and protection strategies. | [57] | May face challenges in accurately predicting future sea level rise impacts and the variability in infrastructure vulnerabilities across different regions. | Emphasizes the need for equitable infrastructure protection to safeguard vulnerable communities from sea level rise. | |
Incorporate health and equity considerations into transportation health impact assessments (HIAs). | Health impact assessment tools; equity metrics (e.g., disparity indices). | Retrospectively analyzing HIAs to assess the integration of health and equity considerations and proposing improvements to enhance their effectiveness. | Improved methodologies for incorporating health and equity considerations in HIAs, leading to more comprehensive and equitable transportation planning outcomes. | [58] | Analysis may be limited by retrospective data; the effectiveness of proposed improvements depends on their adoption by practitioners. | Provides valuable insights into improving the integration of health and equity in HIAs, leading to better-informed and fairer transportation planning decisions. | |
Transportation Affordability | Address transport poverty by analyzing accessibility issues for low-income households in Canada. | Accessibility measures; transport poverty indicators; national data analysis tools. | Assessed inaccessibility levels for low-income households using national data; recommended policies to improve access and affordability. | Enhanced understanding of transport poverty among low-income households, leading to targeted policies for better accessibility and affordability. | [31] | Limited by data availability and variability in local contexts may not capture all nuances of transport poverty. | Identifies the necessity for specialized interventions and policies to address the specific needs of low-income households in transportation planning. |
Evaluate transportation affordability using a context-sensitive framework. | Affordability frameworks; cost–benefit analysis; context-sensitive evaluation tools. | Applied a context-sensitive framework to evaluate transportation affordability across various contexts and demographic groups. | Improved technique for assessing transportation affordability, resulting in context-sensitive policy recommendations and planning decisions. | [27] | The framework may not account for all local variables and economic factors; it may need to be adapted for different circumstances. | Provides a comprehensive framework for assessing transportation affordability, emphasizing the importance of context in evaluating affordability across diverse populations. | |
Transportation Safety Analysis | Explore equity in non-motorist safety by identifying disparities and addressing safety for pedestrians and cyclists in Houston. | Safety analysis tools; GIS; equity metrics (e.g., Safety Disparity Index, Exposure to Risk, Access to Safety Infrastructure). | Analyzed safety data for non-motorists (pedestrians and cyclists), mapping high-risk areas and evaluating equity in safety interventions. | Improved understanding of safety disparities for non-motorists; targeted interventions in high-risk areas to enhance safety for underserved communities. | [59] | May be limited by the availability and accuracy of safety data; potential challenges in generalizing findings to other regions. | Highlights the importance of addressing safety disparities and targeting interventions to improve non-motorist safety in underserved areas. |
Traffic Management | Evaluating equity in traffic safety issues identified proactively vs. reactively. | Traffic safety data analysis tools; equity assessment frameworks; GIS tools. | Analyzing traffic safety data to compare equity outcomes of proactive vs. reactive identification of safety issues. | Findings suggest that proactive identification of safety issues can lead to more equitable safety improvements. | [60] | Data limitations may affect the generalizability of results; proactive measures may require higher initial investments. | Provides insights into the benefits and limitations of proactive versus reactive identification of traffic safety issues, emphasizing the need for equitable safety measures. |
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Johnson, L.L.; Ebakivie, O.; Everett, J.; Wynn, S. Inclusive and Accessible Transportation for All: Strategies for Integrating Equity in Transportation Research. Logistics 2025, 9, 72. https://doi.org/10.3390/logistics9020072
Johnson LL, Ebakivie O, Everett J, Wynn S. Inclusive and Accessible Transportation for All: Strategies for Integrating Equity in Transportation Research. Logistics. 2025; 9(2):72. https://doi.org/10.3390/logistics9020072
Chicago/Turabian StyleJohnson, Laquanda Leaven, Oghenetejiri Ebakivie, Jerry Everett, and Szaviea Wynn. 2025. "Inclusive and Accessible Transportation for All: Strategies for Integrating Equity in Transportation Research" Logistics 9, no. 2: 72. https://doi.org/10.3390/logistics9020072
APA StyleJohnson, L. L., Ebakivie, O., Everett, J., & Wynn, S. (2025). Inclusive and Accessible Transportation for All: Strategies for Integrating Equity in Transportation Research. Logistics, 9(2), 72. https://doi.org/10.3390/logistics9020072