More Trains Equals More Gains: Evaluating the Impact of Access to Public Transit on Poverty and Economic Productivity in Chicago
Session Number
Project ID: BHVSO 05
Advisor(s)
Dr. Crystal Bae; University of Chicago, Center for Spatial Data Science
Discipline
Behavioral and Social Sciences
Start Date
19-4-2023 9:35 AM
End Date
19-4-2023 9:50 AM
Abstract
The Chicago “L” rail transit network connects the city’s North, South, and West Sides, which have experienced different economic outcomes due to the historical circumstances affecting population and wealth distribution. Previous research on public transit systems worldwide mainly focused on the effect of urban policy and public transit accessibility on public transit demand. This paper examined the accessibility of each “L” station, analyzed the current economic impact of station accessibility on each of the city’s neighborhoods, which are defined as community areas here for simplicity, and used the results of that analysis to pinpoint optimal locations to build new stations to maximize economic productivity in the city’s most underserved communities. The paper concludes by drawing attention to the value that the Chicago “L” transit network and further transit development projects can bring to the city’s economy. More research is needed on how increased public transit accessibility affects the economic productivity of each of Chicago’s neighborhoods.
More Trains Equals More Gains: Evaluating the Impact of Access to Public Transit on Poverty and Economic Productivity in Chicago
The Chicago “L” rail transit network connects the city’s North, South, and West Sides, which have experienced different economic outcomes due to the historical circumstances affecting population and wealth distribution. Previous research on public transit systems worldwide mainly focused on the effect of urban policy and public transit accessibility on public transit demand. This paper examined the accessibility of each “L” station, analyzed the current economic impact of station accessibility on each of the city’s neighborhoods, which are defined as community areas here for simplicity, and used the results of that analysis to pinpoint optimal locations to build new stations to maximize economic productivity in the city’s most underserved communities. The paper concludes by drawing attention to the value that the Chicago “L” transit network and further transit development projects can bring to the city’s economy. More research is needed on how increased public transit accessibility affects the economic productivity of each of Chicago’s neighborhoods.