Browsing by Author "Van Dort, Leoma"

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
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    Advancing Transportation Equity: Research and Practice
    (Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2019-02) Van Dort, Leoma; Guthrie, Andrew; Fan, Yingling; Baas, Gina; yingling@umn.edu
    Transportation contributes to many societal outcomes, including employment, health, and wealth. However, disparities and inequities in transportation systems, services, and decision-making processes disproportionately impact underserved and underrepresented communities. This study seeks to create a better understanding of current research and practice and recommend future research and practice that can advance transportation equity in Minnesota. To that end, the research team conducted a literature review that summarizes recent developments in the field of transportation equity, reviewed existing equity-focused programs within and beyond the transportation sector, and engaged multiple stakeholder groups, including a project advisory group with experts in addressing disparities and inequities, a group of transportation users and equity stakeholders, and community members. The study presents a working definition of transportation equity, recommends action steps for MnDOT and its partners to consider in advancing transportation equity, and identifies directions for future research and practice that can advance transportation equity in the state of Minnesota.
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    Comm[unity] Centered: People, Places & Play in Ramsey
    (Resilient Communities Project (RCP), University of Minnesota, 2017) Russell, Kathleen; Thompson, Erik; Van Dort, Leoma
    This project was completed as part of the 2017-2018 Resilient Communities Project (rcp.umn.edu) partnership with the City of Ramsey. The City wanted to develop a long-term vision and strategy for a community center and associated programming and activities. Students in Dr. Fernando Burga’s Land Use Planning class researched options for various geographic models (centralized vs. satellite) and governance structures (public vs. private) for a community center in Ramsey, including detailed case studies of these models and governance structures in other communities; created an inventory of existing community recreational programs and opportunities; and provided recommendations for moving the discussion forward. A final report is available.
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    Sidewalks in St. Louis Park Understanding Resident Perceptions and Behaviors, Effects on Property Values, and Accessibility
    (2019-05) Daly, Erin; DeGrado, Alena; Hauf, Austin; Sevening, Haley; Van Dort, Leoma
    St. Louis Park is a first-ring suburb in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, with varying land use patterns based on proximity to Minneapolis. The city has developed a number of plans to improve its pedestrian network, including the Connect the Park plan that identifies a six-year funding stream for implementing new sidewalks to increase connectivity, improve safety and accessibility, and enhance livability. While many residents support the City’s efforts to implement sidewalks, some have concerns related to how sidewalks could affect property values, increase crime, remove trees/green space, and create a maintenance burden for residents. In addition, City staff have also heard from residents that sidewalks will not be used because everyone drives or that streets are quiet enough for pedestrians to walk on the road. To evaluate the concerns raised by residents and measure the future impacts of St. Louis Park’s planned sidewalk and trail implementation, students from the Master of Urban and Regional Planning program at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs - University of Minnesota partnered with the City of St. Louis Park on a capstone project.
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    Value of Transitways to Regional Economies: National and Twin Cities Perspectives
    (Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, 2020-04) Fan, Yingling; Wexler, Noah; Guthrie, Andrew; Van Dort, Leoma; Guo, Yuxuan
    This study is comprised of two main analyses: (1) a national analysis that assesses the relationship between the presence and quantity of transitway service with the overall economic strength of US Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and (2) a comparative analysis of accessibility to regional employment centers, educational institutions, and workforce development service providers under current and hypothetical future transit conditions. For the first analysis, two-way fixed effects regressions controlling for demographics and total transit activity provide evidence that transitway investment is associated positively with GDP and job growth. However, no statistically significant relationship exists between transitway investment and median household income or inequality. The regional comparison analysis finds that fixed-guideway transit is widely accessible, yet slightly concentrated in higher-income or gentrifying neighborhoods.