SSC2011_Patricia Hu PPT

Transportation Accessibility and Livable Communities
Patricia Hu
Director, Bureau of Transportation Statistics
Research and Innovative Technology Administration
United States Department of Transportation
September 27, 2011

Research & Innovative Technology Administration
Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS)
ITS Joint Program Office (ITS JPO)
Office of Research, Development & Technology (RDT)
Volpe National Transportation Systems Center
Office of Positioning, Navigation & Timing (PNT)
Transportation Safety Institute (TSI)

Transportation Secretary LaHood’s Priorities
Safety:reduce fatalities and injuries
State of Good Repair:upgrade and maintain infrastructure
Economic Competitiveness: policies and investments that support economic growth
Livable Communities: increase transportation choices and access
Environmental Sustainability: reduce carbon and other harmful emissions from transportation

Why is livability a transportation priority?
More transportation choices reduces costs and helps the environment
Integrating the planning of transportation and housing creates more opportunities
Improving access enhances quality of life and public health
Meeting needs of aged/disabled persons
Connecting communities to jobs, healthcare, housing

We are a nation that drives to work
Source: American Community Survey (2010 Estimates), U.S. Census Bureau

The growth in travel per capita has been slowing

Vehicles account for ~80% of transportation GHGs

A 2009 BTS survey ranked the importance of selected transportation characteristics in livable communities

That said, the rankings depend on socio-demographics and places of residence, for example
Low income households rank local transit more important than the rest of the population
Higher income households rank airport access more important
The elderly rank sidewalk less important than the rest of the population
The difference among those who live in different communities reflects what the community perceives are needed, but that may not be available. For example, rural residents are more concerned about having sidewalks, safe walkable routes to shops and schools.

The challenge in improving transportation accessibility needs to consider:
Demographic trends
Aging population
Low income households
Immigrants
Land use patterns
Walk-able/bike-able
Transit availability
Safety and security perception

United States 2050: Growing, Aging Population
Total population projected to increase by 42% to 439 million
Projected number of age 65+ doubles to 88.5 million
Age 85+ will increase from 14 to 21% of older population
Ratio of 65+ to working age will be 35 to 100, versus 22 to 100 today

The elderly’s propensity to travel depends on:
whether they retain their driver’s licenses,
whether public transportation (including paratransit) is accessible, and
whether they live alone or with others.

Low-income households primarily drive too
The poor in the U.S. reached 46.2 million in 2010 -- the fourth straight increase and the largest number of people living in poverty since record-keeping began 52 years ago.
Sources: American Community Survey (2010 Estimates), U.S. Census Bureau; 2010 Transportation Statistics Annual Report, Bureau of Transportation Statistics

Transit ridership remains relatively stable

Between 2005 and 2010, 3.5 million rural residents lost access to scheduled intercity transportation.

Intermodal Passenger Connectivity Database
Nationwide database of intercity transportation facilities w/ scheduled passenger services
2,500 facilities (expanding to 6,500 in 2012)
Rail stations, airports, ferry terminals, commuter rail terminals
Will add light/heavy rail stations & bus stops in 2012
Measures connectivity of transportation system
Facilities records have latitude/longitude for GIS apps
Web-based map application under development

Data to better understand transportation accessibility
National Household Travel Survey
Conducted by US DOT
Only nationally representative travel survey that links household, person/driver, vehicle, and trip characteristics
Conducted in 1969, 1977, 1983, 1990, 1995, 2001, 2009
http://nhts.ornl.gov
American Community Survey
Conducted by Census of Bureau
An ongoing survey that provides data every year
Among major demographic factors it asks: “where do you work and how do you get there?”
While there is no single data source that can help us to fully understand the impact of transportation accessibility on mobility, the integration of these sources provides more insightful understanding.

SSC2011_Patricia Hu PPT

by National Housing Conference & the Center for Housing Policy on Oct 03, 2011

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SSC2011_Patricia Hu PPT — Presentation Transcript