Subject Area

Civil Engineering

Abstract

Achieving equity in transportation is an ongoing challenge, as transportation options still vary tremendously when it comes to marginalized populations. This dissertation addresses this challenge by conducting a comprehensive review of existing transportation equity literature and identifying two critical gaps: the lack of data-driven approaches to studying spatial mismatch between transportation supply and demand, and limited information on women's perceptions and expectations towards emerging transportation services.

Chapter two introduces the concept of transportation "deserts," specifically transit deserts and walking deserts, and develops data-driven frameworks to identify and investigate neighborhoods with limited transportation service supply but high demand. The frameworks compare mobility demand and supply for active transportation modes and utilize statistical modeling techniques to reveal the inequitable distribution of transportation services. The identification of transportation deserts provides valuable insights for investment and redevelopment, highlighting areas of underinvestment.

Chapter three focuses on gender equity and the lack of understanding about transportation user preferences, particularly for women. Through a gender-sensitive analysis of online reviews using text-mining techniques, the chapter presents an empirical analysis of rider satisfaction with scooter services. The study utilizes online data from app store reviews and employs machine learning techniques to uncover factors that influence overall satisfaction across genders. The findings enhance our understanding of gendered differences in micromobility rider sentiment and satisfaction.

In conclusion, this dissertation offers a comprehensive examination of transportation equity from multiple perspectives. It identifies critical gaps in existing literature and employs innovative analytical methodologies to address these gaps. The research findings have important policy implications for city planners, transportation managers, urban authorities, and decision-makers striving to create inclusive and vibrant urban spaces that benefit all members of society. By addressing these gaps, policymakers can promote equitable transportation services and ensure access to safe, reliable, and affordable transportation options for all individuals.

Degree Date

Spring 5-13-2023

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Advisor

Janille Smith-Colin

Number of Pages

113

Format

.pdf

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License

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