California launches equity tool to identify communities negatively affected by transportation system

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The California Department of Transportation recently launched the Caltrans Transportation Equity Index (EQI) tool to help identify communities most negatively impacted by the transportation system.

The tool uses publicly available and internally developed datasets from public and private sources. It includes three key data indicators: household income and federally recognized tribal lands; traffic proximity, volume, and crash exposure; and access to destinations, measuring gaps in the transit, bicycle, and pedestrian networks.

The information will be used to identify transportation-based priority populations to whom the state’s transportation system either created harm or made harm worse. Adverse effects of transportation decisions include lower access to jobs and education, reduced environmental and health outcomes, and higher exposure levels to dangerous crashes.

Caltrans will then use the information to help ensure new transportation projects lead to long-term improvements in the quality of life in neighborhoods and communities. The agency also will be able to more easily identify transportation projects that improve access in these areas and will advance equitable outcomes during project planning, development, and design phases.

The tool’s first application will be to increase the analytical capabilities of the Caltrans System Investment Strategy, a data and performance-driven system that guides transportation investments.