Assessing Neighborhood and Social Influences of Transit Corridors (Research Brief)

Abstract

This four-page document summarizes a study (Assessing Neighborhood and Social Influences of Transit Corridors, CTS 12-19) that assessed how residents and businesses along transit corridors in the Twin Cities perceive neighborhood changes caused by transitways. Key findings include: (1) The majority of residents and businesses in transitway corridors have a positive view of transit induced neighborhood change. The extent of positive neighborhood change that transitway corridor residents and businesses anticipate varies widely from corridor to corridor. (2) People with any experience using light-rail transit, frequent transit users, and transit-dependent riders all have overwhelmingly positive attitudes regarding transit-induced neighborhood change. (3) Racial differences in perceptions of transit-induced neighborhood change do exist, with specific groups on certain corridors having markedly more negative or positive views than others. (4) Five key strategies may help address negative perceptions and possible negative impacts of transit-induced neighborhood change: address misperceptions, engage the neutrals, play to the strengths, include transit users, and conduct community-sensitive planning.