Impact of light rail implementation on labor market accessibility: A transportation equity perspective

Authors

  • Yingling Fan University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
  • Andrew E Guthrie University of Minnesota
  • David M Levinson University of Minnesota

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5198/jtlu.v5i3.240

Keywords:

job accessibility, transit, spatial mismatch, equity, light rail,

Abstract

This study seeks to examine transit’s role in promoting social equity by assessing before-after impacts of recent transit changes in the Twin Cities, including opening of the Hiawahta light rail line, on job accessibility among workers of different wage categories. Geo-spatial, descriptive and regression analyses find that proximity to light rail stations and bus stops offering direct rail connections are associated with large, statistically significant gains in accessibility to low-wage jobs. These gains stand out from changes in accessibility for the transit system as a whole. Implications of the study results for informing more equitable transit polices are discussed.

Author Biographies

Yingling Fan, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

A

Andrew E Guthrie, University of Minnesota

Research Fellow Humphrey School of Public Affairs

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Published

2012-12-26

How to Cite

Fan, Y., Guthrie, A. E., & Levinson, D. M. (2012). Impact of light rail implementation on labor market accessibility: A transportation equity perspective. Journal of Transport and Land Use, 5(3). https://doi.org/10.5198/jtlu.v5i3.240

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 3 (2012)

Section

Articles

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