Bill Overview
Title: Transportation Equity Act
Description: This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to reestablish the Transportation Equity Committee. The committee must study, advise DOT about, and develop a strategic plan concerning transportation equity issues. The committee must also evaluate the work of DOT in connecting people to economic and related forms of opportunity; revitalizing communities through strategic, research, technological, regulatory, community engagement, and economic policy activities related to transportation and opportunity; and ensuring equal access to transportation for all residents. In addition, DOT must appoint a full-time federal employee to serve as coordinator and act as the designated federal officer for the committee.
Sponsors: Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals facing transportation inequities
Estimated Size: 80000000
- The Transportation Equity Act focuses on ensuring equal access to transportation, indicating that it primarily impacts individuals who currently face barriers to transportation access.
- These barriers often exist in economically disadvantaged communities, affecting low-income individuals and families.
- The act also discusses connecting people to economic opportunities, which suggests an impact on unemployed or underemployed persons who could gain better access to jobs with improved transportation equity.
- Given the infrastructure focus, urban populations often with developed public transport systems are directly concerned.
- Rural populations facing transportation access issues may also be targeted for improvements.
- Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color, who often face systemic transportation inequities, will likely be impacted.
Reasoning
- The act focuses on improving transportation access, particularly for groups that have been historically underserved in this regard: low-income communities, people of color, and rural residents.
- Part of the funding may be used for infrastructure improvements such as expanding public transit routes, which would directly impact urban and suburban populations.
- Rural areas may receive improved services through different means such as subsidies or support for carpooling services.
- The act can enable people in economically disadvantaged positions to access employment opportunities through better connectivity.
- It's important to represent different demographics including non-beneficiaries to capture variance in impact.
Simulated Interviews
Retail Worker (Chicago, IL)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this policy would really help me get to work more reliably.
- Currently, public transport is expensive and sometimes unreliable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Office Manager (New York, NY)
Age: 54 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm not sure how much this policy will affect me directly since I drive, but it might improve congestion by giving others better transit options.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 23 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Efficient public transport is really important for students and young people like me.
- This policy seems like it could make a big difference. I could save more time and money.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Farmer (Rural Montana)
Age: 41 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this means better services or subsidies for people in rural areas where public transport isn't an option.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 2 |
Retiree (Miami, FL)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The infrastructure improvement could be beneficial to property values, so I'm supportive.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Tech Startup Employee (Austin, TX)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't personally depend on public transportation, but more options would be good for the environment and reducing traffic.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Warehouse Worker (Seattle, WA)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Public buses are often full and late; improvements would help me get to my job on time more consistently.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
College Student (Philadelphia, PA)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If public transport becomes more reliable and affordable, it would be amazing for students like me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Mechanic (Detroit, MI)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I just want reliable ways to get around with my family without breaking the bank.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Bartender (New Orleans, LA)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I rely completely on public transport for my job after hours, so any improvement is a win for me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 2: $45000000 (Low: $35000000, High: $55000000)
Year 3: $45000000 (Low: $35000000, High: $55000000)
Year 5: $40000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $50000000)
Year 10: $40000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $50000000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Operational complexities in reestablishing and managing a new committee within DOT.
- Potential overlap or synergy with existing programs aimed at improving transportation equity.
- Impact and reception by stakeholders in economically disadvantaged communities.