| dc.description.abstract | This dissertation presents cross-sectional research on the state of planning for the equitable deployment of technology in transportation through three studies. A triangulation strategy was utilized to gain a comprehensive understanding of planning for technology, through an equity lens, in the past, present, and future.
The first study, “Equitable Investment? An Analysis of Transportation Technology Projects in the Bay Area”, reviews the transportation improvement programs (TIP) for the San Francisco region. Technology projects were spatially analyzed to understand their impact on low-income communities. 43 out of 54 technology projects were located in low-income areas, which led to an in-depth review of five projects to better understand the true impacts. Overall, the results highlighted how dollars invested does not automatically lead to benefits for a community. Projects must focus on community needs, which requires tools to assess the specific equity impacts of technology projects.
The second study, “Are We Planning for an Equitable Transportation Future? Lessons Learned from Regional Transportation Plans”, is a content analysis of regional transportation plans (RTPs) from 52 MPOs. Results show that the discussion of equity and justice remains limited, with 58 percent of plans including equity, which ultimately leads to a limited discussion of the equity implications of technology in transportation (25 percent). Over half of the plans reviewed discussed emerging technologies to some extent. These results indicate a gap between equity and technology planning efforts that must be bridged if a more just transportation system is to be realized.
The third study, “Looking Ahead: An Assessment of Planners’ Intentions and Concerns regarding Transportation Technologies & Equity”, surveyed planners at all 402 MPOs in the U.S. The survey asked questions related to technology, equity, and the equity impacts of emerging technologies. Responses show that MPOs continue to focus on established rather than emerging technologies while their equity efforts are evolving to focus on outcomes. In terms of emerging technology deployment, planners are weighing the benefits and challenges but are concerned about their financial ability, as well as the political will, to ensure equity in deployment and use. | |
