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Transportation Equity

Page updated 3/25/24

What is Transportation Equity?

According to the Federal Highway Administration, transportation equity “seeks fairness in mobility and accessibility to meet the needs of all community members.”[1] Equitable transportation systems provide affordable, reliable mobility options that facilitate social and economic opportunities – particularly for communities that have been traditionally underserved. A focus on equity means being responsive to every community’s unique connectivity needs to ensure greater fairness in transportation planning processes and outcomes.

Why Analyze Transportation Equity?

As a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), SNHPC oversees the region’s long-term transportation planning efforts and programs federal transportation funds. One of the Commission’s roles is to verify that transportation funding is distributed equitably across the region. Focusing on transportation equity ensures SNHPC adheres to several federal requirements, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which bars discrimination based on race, color, or national origin under federally-funded initiatives; Executive Order 12898, which directs pubic agencies to address disproportional health and environmental impacts, particularly for minority and low-income populations; and Executive Order 13166, which calls for improved access to services for people with limited English proficiency (LEP).

Reporting on Transportation Equity

In 2022, SNHPC published an initial equity analysis that analyzed Census Tract-level demographic data to define the Equity Area for our region. The Equity Area is the geographic area with the greatest concentration of residents who belong to Title VI/Environmental Justice (EJ) federally protected classes, or who may otherwise experience vulnerabilities that impact their transportation options. The 2022 analysis also explored key health, safety, and transportation disparities between the Equity Area and the rest of the region.

In 2023, SNHPC published Volume 2 of the Equity Analysis which focuses on regional transportation investments. This analysis advances our understanding of how financial resources are allocated, so SNHPC can take deliberate steps to ensure transportation investments are distributed fairly and effectively respond to the needs of community members living in the equity area.

Please click on below icons to view/download documents:

Equity Analysis    Equity Analysis Report Volume II     SNHPC Equity Area

Future equity analysis efforts will take a closer look at project benefits and harms to understand how various projects may support or detract from the needs of residents living in the Equity Area. Collaboration with community members will be essential in guiding these efforts. Meaningful public participation can help ensure the next phase of analysis reflects the needs and concerns of the region’s most vulnerable community members. It can also help SNHPC identify viable, community-supported transportation projects and programs to help address any disparities that emerge.