Examining the Efficacy of Title VI Social Equity Analysis: A Comparative Case Study of Transit Access and Neighborhood Segregation Outcomes Over Time

Exploring how Transit Practitioners Navigate Nervousness

“…This study explores the extent to which Gooden's (2014) 10 principles are adopted by transit agencies serving four Metropolitan Statistical Areas. As previously mentioned, Larson (2018) selected these four cities to explore the relationship between transit access and residential income segregation trends over time. Access was determined using the Accessibility Observatory's (2015) metropolitan rankings of Access to Jobs by Public Transit.…”

“…This study particularly builds on the results of Larson (2018), which examined the relationship between increased neighborhood transit access and changes in income segregation. From 1970From -2010, the longitudinal study analyzed trends in four demographically diverse Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs): Denver-Aurora-Broomfield CO; Minneapolis-St.…”

“…Today, Denver and Birmingham both exhibit above average income segregation levels (Fry & Taylor, 2012). Larson's (2018) mixed results across four different cities suggests that, despite reporting requirements of Title VI and adoption of performance measures to improve accountability for social equity, agencies go to differing lengths to address inequities related to transit development. While the quantitative results therefore contribute understanding to neighborhood trends, the study leaves room to further explore the nature and extent to which agencies in each MSA have taken action to address racial and economic inequities.…”

“…Therefore, this paper explores the process by which practitioners in the four jurisdictions examined by Larson (2018) address equity concerns beyond the legal reporting requirements of Title VI. This study builds on Larson's (2018) quantitative findings by conducting interviews with transit practitioners leading social equity initiatives in each metropolitan area. The analysis explores how practitioners address accountability for social equity as individuals working within the confines of their agencies.…”

Transit Stigma: Transit Administrators’ Views of the Role of Policy Elites in Perpetuating Stigma

“…Schweitzer’s (2014) research found that tweets stigmatizing transit riders frequently contain racist and sexist slurs, usually disproportionately targeting Black women. Therefore, the role of transit stigma in isolating already-marginalized individuals and communities should be seen as both a literal undertaking (by limiting mobility options through inadequate public transit) and a metaphorical one (through a social hierarchy constructed on the perceived value of a particular mode of transport) (Larson, 2018).…”