policy brief

How Are Transit Agencies in California Addressing the Travel Needs of People Experiencing Homelessness?

Publication Date

August 1, 2023

Associated Project(s)

How Regional Transit Agencies Can Serve the Daily Mobility Needs of the Unhoused Population

Author(s)

Jennifer Nations, Mirle Rabinowitz-Bussell, Yao Fu

Areas of Expertise

Public Transit, Shared Mobility, & Active Transportation Safety, Public Health, & Mobility Justice

View policy brief

Abstract

Increasing numbers of people experiencing homelessness in California cities have prompted some transit agencies to address the needs of unhoused people and riders more comprehensively in their service plans. Some of these efforts respond to the presence of transit riders who are visibly homeless and seek shelter on transit vehicles, at transit stops, and on other agency property. Many people experiencing homelessness, however, are also active users of public transit, relying on buses and trains to access services, get to work, visit family, and more. Public transit is especially critical for those working to exit homelessness who do not have access to a personal vehicle.

Related Publications

research report

How Regional Transit Agencies Can Serve the Daily Mobility Needs of the Unhoused Population

policy brief

Low-Income Suburban Residents in the San Francisco Bay Area Face Significant Housing and Transportation Issues

Publication Date

June 1, 2024

Associated Project(s)

Struggling to Connect: Housing and Transportation Challenges of Low-Income Suburban Residents in the San Francisco Bay Area

Author(s)

Alexandra Pan, Susan Shaheen, Elizabeth Deakin

Areas of Expertise

Safety, Public Health, & Mobility Justice

View policy brief

Abstract

Growing poverty in America’s suburbs challenges their image as single-family residential communities for middle class, predominantly white families. Research shows that suburban areas now have the largest share of households under the poverty line. Since these areas have lower density development and lower levels of public transit service compared to urban areas, living in the suburbs may pose accessibility challenges for low-income households, particularly those without a personal vehicle. To explore housing and transportation issues associated with the suburbanization of poverty, we combined U.S. Census data from Contra Costa County, which has the highest rates of suburban poverty in the San Francisco Bay Area, and online and in-person surveys with individuals who earn less than 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), around $75,000. This research identifies demographic and external factors that lead low- and moderate-income households to move to suburban areas, accessibility barriers faced by low- and moderate-income suburban households, and how transportation use and transportation and housing costs differ between urban and suburban low-income residents in the Bay Area.

Related Publications

published journal article

Crabgrass confinement: Housing and transportation challenges of low- and moderate-income suburban residents in the San Francisco Bay Area

published journal article

What Makes the Route More Traveled? Optimizing U.S. Suburban Microtransit for Sustainable Mobility

research report

Struggling to Connect: Housing and Transportation Challenges of Low-Income Suburban Residents in the San Francisco Bay Area

research report

How Regional Transit Agencies Can Serve the Daily Mobility Needs of the Unhoused Population

Publication Date

April 1, 2023

Associated Project(s)

How Regional Transit Agencies Can Serve the Daily Mobility Needs of the Unhoused Population

Author(s)

Jennifer Nations, Mirle Rabinowitz-Bussell, Yao Fu

Areas of Expertise

Public Transit, Shared Mobility, & Active Transportation Safety, Public Health, & Mobility Justice

View research report

Abstract

With more people experiencing homelessness in California cities, some transit agencies have begun to comprehensively address the needs of people experiencing homelessness, a population that historically may not have been included in their planning. Research suggests that people experiencing homelessness rely on public transit for the same variety of reasons that all riders do, and that, like other riders, they find it difficult to reach those destinations due to prohibitive costs and transit schedules that do not meet their needs. California transit agencies vary in terms of whether, and how well, they engage with the issue of homelessness. Interviews and a review of policy and programming documents show that most major transit agencies in California made some reference to people experiencing homelessness, but just ten of fifteen addressed their transit needs, and only three addressed those needs through dedicated programs. The research team uses this research synthesis to draw greater attention to the ways that transit agencies can serve the mobility needs of people experiencing homelessness. The team presents findings from a case study on transit accessibility in San Diego County to supplement the statewide review. This includes a geospatial analysis of transit accessibility from locations where people experiencing homelessness have been known to congregate in San Diego County, as well as interviews with three people who have experienced homelessness in the region and three advocates for the unhoused population. The team identifies the ways that transit accessibility is a complex issue, requiring consideration of proximity, ease of physical access, and programmatic support. Based on the research, the researchers recommend that transit and service organizations consider the following: (1) establish coordinated outreach in transit environments, (2) offer shuttles to services and employment to help one resolve their homelessness, (3) improve the reliability and connectivity of public transit, (4) support fare assistance programs, and (5) incorporate expertise from people with lived experience of homelessness.

Related Publications

policy brief

How Are Transit Agencies in California Addressing the Travel Needs of People Experiencing Homelessness?

research report

Improved California Truck Traffic Census Reporting and Spatial Activity Measurement

Publication Date

August 29, 2023

Associated Project(s)

Improved California Truck Traffic Census Reporting and Spatial Activity Measurement

Author(s)

Andre Tok, Stephen Ritchie, Yiqiao Li

Areas of Expertise

Freight, Logistics, & Supply Chain

View research report

Abstract

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) vehicle classification scheme is designed to serve various transportation operational and planning needs. Many transportation agencies rely on Weigh-In-Motion and automatic vehicle classification sites to collect vehicle classification count data. However, these systems are not widely deployed due to high installation and operations costs. One cost-effective approach investigated by researchers has been the use of single inductive loop sensors as an alternative to obtain FHWA vehicle classification data. However, most models do not accurately classify under-represented classes, even though many of these minority classes pose disproportionally adverse impacts on pavement infrastructure and the environment. As a consequence, previous models have not been able to adequately classify under-represented classes, and the overall performance of the models is often masked by excellent classification accuracy of the majority classes, such as passenger vehicles and five-axle tractor-trailers. This project developed a bootstrap aggregating (bagging) deep neural network (DNN) model on a truck-focused dataset obtained from Truck Activity Monitoring System (TAMS) sites, which leverage existing inductive loop sensor infrastructure coupled with deployed inductive loop signature technology and already deployed statewide at over ninety locations across all Caltrans Districts. The proposed method significantly improved the model performance on truck-related classes, especially minority classes such as Classes 7 and 11 which were overlooked in previous research studies. Remarkably, the proposed model is also capable of distinguishing classes with overlapping axle configurations, which is generally a challenge for axle-based sensor systems.

research report

Struggling to Connect: Housing and Transportation Challenges of Low-Income Suburban Residents in the San Francisco Bay Area

Publication Date

June 1, 2024

Associated Project(s)

Struggling to Connect: Housing and Transportation Challenges of Low-Income Suburban Residents in the San Francisco Bay Area

Author(s)

Susan Shaheen, Alexandra Pan, Elizabeth Deakin

Areas of Expertise

Safety, Public Health, & Mobility Justice

View research report

Abstract

Suburban areas have lower density development than urban areas, which may make them less accessible for the growing population of low- and moderate-income suburban residents, particularly those without a personal vehicle. This research examines factors that lead these households to move to suburban areas and identifies accessibility barriers they face. We use a mixed-methods approach with Public Use Microdata Sample data from the U.S. Census, online/in-person surveys (n=208), and interviews conducted in English and Spanish (n=25) with households in Contra Costa County with an income of less than $75,000. To understand key differences in housing and transportation choices between urban and suburban residents, these data were compared to survey and interview data from low-income Oakland residents from 2020-2021. We found that low- and moderate-income households choose to live in the suburbs due to rising rents and other requirements (e.g., credit score, rental history) in urban areas, and a desire for home ownership and a safer environment for children. Yet, the lack of tenant protections is leaving them vulnerable to rising rents in suburban areas. Transportation costs are higher in suburbs due to longer commutes and higher reliance on personal vehicles. Despite higher levels of car-ownership in the suburbs, households often go without a car due to maintenance issues or inability to make car payments. When faced with the lack of an automobile, suburban households have few quality transportation alternatives.

Related Publications

published journal article

Crabgrass confinement: Housing and transportation challenges of low- and moderate-income suburban residents in the San Francisco Bay Area

published journal article

What Makes the Route More Traveled? Optimizing U.S. Suburban Microtransit for Sustainable Mobility

policy brief

Low-Income Suburban Residents in the San Francisco Bay Area Face Significant Housing and Transportation Issues

policy brief

Connected Eco-Driving Technology Can Help Improve Traffic Flow While Reducing Truck Emissions

Publication Date

June 1, 2022

Associated Project(s)

Evaluation of Benefits and Costs of a Connected Eco-Driving Program for Trucks

Author(s)

Kanok Boriboonsomsin, Peng Hao, George Scora, Matthew Barth

Areas of Expertise

Freight, Logistics, & Supply Chain Safety, Public Health, & Mobility Justice Travel Behavior, Land Use, & the Built Environment

View policy brief

Abstract

California has experienced faster growth in freight volume than freight-related infrastructure, leading to travel delays as well as traffic congestion and air pollution. Onestrategy to improve the efficiency of freight movement while also reducing environmental impacts is to encourage “connected eco-driving.” This could be accomplished by utilizing innovative connected vehicle technology to provide truck drivers real time traffic signal phase and timing information that could be used to determine the best driving speed for passing smoothly through multiple intersections without stopping. The technology has been in research and development for over a decade. While initially developed for passenger cars the connected eco-driving technology has also been applied to other types of vehicles, including Class 8 diesel trucks.

Related Publications

research report

Evaluation of Benefits and Costs of Truck Connected Eco-Driving Program on Urban Freight Corridors

research report

Evaluation of Benefits and Costs of Truck Connected Eco-Driving Program on Urban Freight Corridors

Publication Date

December 1, 2021

Associated Project(s)

Evaluation of Benefits and Costs of a Connected Eco-Driving Program for Trucks

Author(s)

Kanok Boriboonsomsin, Peng Hao, George Scora, Matthew Barth

Areas of Expertise

Freight, Logistics, & Supply Chain Safety, Public Health, & Mobility Justice Travel Behavior, Land Use, & the Built Environment

View research report

Abstract

This research estimates the costs and benefits of implementing connected eco-driving technology for freight trucks on signalized freight corridors as a strategy to mitigate the impacts of truck traffic. The costs associated with enabling the technology include capital investment for infrastructure upgrades such as upgrading traffic controllers and installing communication modems. The costs also include operating costs for wireless data plans and computing servers. Over a period of 20 years, the total cost for one intersection is estimated to be $18,200. The benefits of the technology include reductions in energy consumption and emissions from a connected truck traveling on connected corridors. Under cold start conditions, the technology could help reduce overall fuel consumption by 20%, and emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter by 22%, 20%, and 15%, respectively. Under hot running conditions, the technology could help reduce overall fuel consumption by 10% and emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter by 10%, 0%, and 41%, respectively. Based on these estimates, connected eco-driving technology can play an important role in addressing greenhouse gas emissions from freight trucks, as well as mitigating the air quality and health impacts associated with truck emissions in communities that are heavily impacted by truck traffic.

Related Publications

policy brief

Connected Eco-Driving Technology Can Help Improve Traffic Flow While Reducing Truck Emissions

policy brief

Congestion Pricing Can Be Equitable If a Portion of the Revenue is Returned to Drivers

Publication Date

September 7, 2023

Associated Project(s)

Can Rebates Foster Equity in Congestion Pricing Programs?

Author(s)

James Sallee, Matthew Tarduno

Areas of Expertise

Safety, Public Health, & Mobility Justice Transportation Economics, Funding, & Finance

View policy brief

Abstract

Economists have long argued in favor of congestion pricing, under which drivers pay a fee or toll to enter roadways during peak times. An increasing number of global cities have adopted or are considering pricing programs. Even so, these regimes remain relatively rare and controversial. One key concern with congestion pricing is fairness. Road pricing can pose a substantial burden for low-income drivers, many of whom have little option to avoid travel during peak times and limited opportunity to choose other modes of travel. Prior research has shown that congestion pricing regimes tend to be regressive in terms of their initial burden, that is, in terms of who ends up paying more to use the roads.1 But, the ultimate effect of a road pricing program depends also on how its revenue is used. Some or all of the revenue from a congestion pricing program can be returned to households, and this can fundamentally change the program’s fairness.

Related Publications

research report

Can Rebates Foster Equity in Congestion Pricing Programs?

policy brief

Shared Charging Hubs May Help Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Peak Power Demand

Publication Date

August 1, 2023

Associated Project(s)

Developing a Framework for Siting Multi-Modal Charging Hubs

Author(s)

Ran Wei

Areas of Expertise

Public Transit, Shared Mobility, & Active Transportation Zero-Emission Vehicles & Low-Carbon Fuels

View policy brief

Abstract

The public and private sectors are making significant investments in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, however, the design, planning, and rollout of charging infrastructure tends to be siloed by mode (i.e., charging needs for passenger vehicles, transit buses, trucks, e-scooters, and other modes are not considered together). Given the ever-increasing interactions among these electrified transportation modes, there is growing interest in how to better integrate the design and delivery of charging infrastructure, such as through shared charging hubs.
To help policy makers and transportation agencies make more informed decisions regarding the planning and design of charging infrastructure, UC Riverside researchers developed a model for determining the optimal location, configuration (i.e., number of chargers, power capacities), and charging schedules for shared charging hubs serving cars and transit buses with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The model was then applied using Contra Costa County in California as a case study b

Related Publications

published journal article

Decarbonizing regional multi-model transportation system with shared electric charging hubs

research report

Charging Hub for Electrified Mobility

research report

Charging Hub for Electrified Mobility

Publication Date

August 1, 2023

Associated Project(s)

Developing a Framework for Siting Multi-Modal Charging Hubs

Author(s)

Nanpeng Yu, Ran Wei, Zuzhao Ye

Areas of Expertise

Public Transit, Shared Mobility, & Active Transportation Zero-Emission Vehicles & Low-Carbon Fuels

View research report

Abstract

With the growing concern over global climate change, the pace of transportation electrification has greatly accelerated in recent years to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, electricity is not entirely generated from renewable resources at the moment. The overall carbon emission per kWh of electricity fluctuates due to the inconsistent nature of renewables such as solar and wind. Utilizing low-carbon electricity remains a challenge. On the other hand, current designs and research on charging infrastructure separate electric buses and passenger cars, neglecting the great potential of coordinated charging between different transport modes. How to deploy and operate public charging infrastructure to best serve an electrified multi-modal transportation system while maximizing the benefits of decarbonization remains unclear. This research tries to integrate different transport modes into the strategic planning and design of the shared charging hubs to produce an efficient and low-carbon electrified transportation ecosystem. Shared charging hubs can provide holistic energy management to maximize greenhouse gas emission reduction given budget limits while balancing peak power demands by integrating real-time electricity carbon intensity (ECI) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology. The model was successfully applied to bus fleets of seven transit agencies and the park-and-ride cars of twelve rail transit stations in Contra Costa County, California. This research will help policymakers and transportation agencies make more informed decisions regarding the planning and design of charging infrastructure.

Related Publications

published journal article

Decarbonizing regional multi-model transportation system with shared electric charging hubs

policy brief