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Impact of Light Rail Implementation on Labor Market Accessibility: A Transportation Equity Perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Yingling Fan
  • Andrew Guthrie
  • David Levinson

    (Nexus (Networks, Economics, and Urban Systems) Research Group, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minnesota)

Abstract

This study examines transit's role in promoting social equity by assessing impacts of recent transit changes in the Twin Cities, including opening of the Hiawatha light rail line, on job accessibility among workers of different wage categories. Geo-spatial and descriptive analyses are employed to examine the magnitude of the accessibility changes and where changes occur. This study also uses regression analysis to estimate block-level before- and after-LRT accessibility as a function of the block's locational characteristics and demographic composition. The analysis finds 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. The paper concludes by discussing implications of the study results for informing more equitable transit polices in the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Yingling Fan & Andrew Guthrie & David Levinson, 2010. "Impact of Light Rail Implementation on Labor Market Accessibility: A Transportation Equity Perspective," Working Papers 000079, University of Minnesota: Nexus Research Group.
    • Handle: RePEc:nex:wpaper:transit-labor-accessibility
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/11299/180033
    File Function: Second version, 2012
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Transportation equity; transit; light rail; bus; Twin Cities; Minneapolis; St. Paul;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R41 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Transportation: Demand, Supply, and Congestion; Travel Time; Safety and Accidents; Transportation Noise
    • R48 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Government Pricing and Policy
    • R53 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis - - - Public Facility Location Analysis; Public Investment and Capital Stock

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