Accessibility and Mobility Strategy Synthesis

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3-Conduct Equity Assessment

Graphic illustrating the difference between equality and equity. On the Equality graphic, three people of varying heights are standing on the same boxes trying to look over a fence at a baseball game. The shortest person cannot see over the fence. On the Equity graphic, the same three people of differing heights are standing on different height boxes that enables each to see over the fence at the baseball game.

The Federal Highway Administration notes that “equity in transportation seeks fairness in mobility and accessibility to meet the needs of all community members. A central goal of transportation equity is to facilitate social and economic opportunities by providing equitable levels of access to affordable and reliable transportation options based on the needs of the populations being served, particularly populations that are traditionally underserved”. The Equity Assessment report explores mobility and accessibility outcomes for different socio-demographic groups in the 13-county NJTPA region. These include both environmental justice populations (minority and/or low-income populations) and other groups (e.g., seniors, persons with disabilities, limited English proficiency).

The report is intended to consider how transportation systems meet the needs of these populations, who may be disadvantaged as a result of historical discrimination or based on present-day circumstances. The assessment identifies locations with high numbers of vulnerable populations that have relatively poor mobility or accessibility based on the following indicators:

Bicycle/pedestrian crashes with fatalities or serious injuries
Access to frequent transit
Travel time to work
Access to jobs by transit
Commute needs
Congested roadways

In addition, the assessment draws on perspectives gained through a Transportation Equity Survey of stakeholders, and identifies the following types of equity-related needs:

Spatial and temporal needs
Infrastructure and system operations needs
Affordability
Access to information

The document also highlights perspectives on integrating equity into transportation decision making.

NJTPA activities focus on equity, civil rights, and environmental justice in a variety of ways. See NJTPA Equity Resources for additional information.