Transportation Equity Needs Assessment Toolkit

University Transportation Centers Program2021PDFTech ReportWilliams, KristineBoyd, TiaKeita, YayeKramer, JeffUniversity of South Florida. Center for Urban Transportation ResearchUniversity of Texas at ArlingtonCenter for Transportation, Equity, Decisions & Dollars (CTEDD). University of TexasUnited States. Department of Transportation. University Transportation Centers (UTC) ProgramCenter for Transportation, Equity, Decisions and Dollars (CTEDD) (UTC)United StatesEquity (Justice)Metropolitan planning organizationsNeeds assessmentRegional planningTransportation planningCTEDD 020-01USDOT - 69A3551747134Final Report - March, 2020 - April, 2021This project would complement the Transportation Equity Scorecard \u2500 a tool for project screening and prioritization \u2500 that is currently being developed by the project team with funding from CTEDD. For this RFP, we propose developing a needs assessment audit tool and supporting guidance to demonstrate how the equity criteria and methods in the Scorecard would be applied by MPOs and local governments to assess the transportation needs of communities of concern, including minority and low-income households, LEP populations, children, elderly, and persons with disabilities. This project was identified as Phase 2 in the Scorecard proposal and together the two projects would comprise a comprehensive approach from needs identification to project prioritization in the form of a Transportation Equity Toolkit (the proposed title for the combined deliverables from both phases, should this phase be funded). The Hillsborough MPO agrees to partner with the researchers on pilot application of the audit tool, with the City of Tampa and University Area Community Development Corporation (CDC) as key stakeholders. The complete toolkit will focus on the systematic identification of transportation and related needs of various communities of concern, beginning with public involvement and extending to project prioritization. The toolkit will include a transportation equity audit tool and complementary guidance materials that will be combined with the prioritization scorecard for a comprehensive approach to transportation equity at the regional and local level. The toolkit could be applied for a variety of transportation needs assessment purposes, including long range transportation plans, transportation disadvantaged service plans, transit development plans, bicycle and pedestrian plans, comprehensive plans, and neighborhood plans.127