How Capital Management of Public Transit Infrastructure Affects Inequity in a Metropolis

Abstract

This is a hybrid study on inequity and public transit investment with a particular focus on wealth inequality. In the initial literature review, research suggested that income inequality and geographic location are correlated. Research also suggested that increasing investment in public transit affects the population’s ability to switch jobs and opens more opportunities for housing choice. Therefore, increasing public transit in a fixed geographic location would theoretically decrease income inequality. Reducing income inequality is one of the easiest ways to reduce wealth inequity, an important task for the quality of life in a society. The research problem is optimizing public transit investments for longevity, health, speed, and cost for a metropolitan area.
This dissertation includes personal exploratory and comparative research from traveling to and within various cities in order to create a qualitative assessment. Data points gathered from various sources over the last 50 years are used to create a comprehensive analysis in order to describe whether a city or metropolitan planning organization should invest more in public transit infrastructure- and if so which modes to invest in.
This study has found that active transit is consistently underfunded when compared to automotive transit, which creates an access barrier for all citizens not just citizens with disabilities. Many suburban routes have zero sidewalks at all, which creates a massive safety issue and prevents people from using public transit further. Without full public support, investment in infrastructure declines over time. Furthermore, many modes need to be integrated as layers of a fully built-out system in order to fully provide the speed and flexibility needed. Some cities that stand out as successes are Tokyo and Amsterdam. Some clear failures of policy are Kathmandu and Las Vegas.