Date of Award
2023
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Committee Chair
Michael Anderson
Committee Member
Abdullahi Salman
Committee Member
Ashraf Al-Hamdan
Subject(s)
Local transit accessibility--Alabama--Huntsville, Local transit--Alabama--Huntsville--Planning, Older people--Transportation--Alabama--Huntsville, People with disabilities--Transportation--Alabama--Huntsville, Poor--Transportation--Alabama--Huntsville
Abstract
Access to transportation is a fundamental need for individuals to access employment, healthcare, education, and social activities. However, disadvantaged populations, such as the elderly, people with disabilities, and those with limited incomes, often face transportation challenges, resulting in social and economic disparities. The goal was to address these disparities by examining transit demand and introducing a new performance measure that factors in demographic characteristics, particularly for vulnerable populations. To achieve this, the study utilizes data from the United States Census and transit providers in Alabama. It relies on the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) to pinpoint areas where vulnerable populations are concentrated, providing a more precise understanding of disadvantaged rider populations. The study has three goals: first, to expand on existing SVI work in Alabama to identify disadvantaged riders across the state; second, to develop a performance metric that considers the number of disadvantaged riders, enhancing transit agencies’ responsiveness to community needs; and third, to use this performance metric to predict the required vehicles and ridership for optimal service. By addressing transit demand for disadvantaged riders and introducing a new performance measure, this study contributes to a more equitable and effective transportation system, fostering social and economic
Recommended Citation
Shankar, Sahana, "Evaluating transit demand for disadvantaged riders and a new performance measure to incorporate disadvantaged riders" (2023). Theses. 626.
https://louis.uah.edu/uah-theses/626