Evaluating Transportation Equity: ITE Quickbite

This short new publication by the Institute of Transportation Engineers provides an overview of key transportation equity concepts and describes practical ways to incorporate equity analysis into planning.

2 minute read

February 2, 2022, 6:00 AM PST

By Todd Litman


Bus Stop

Michael Warwick / Shutterstock

Social equity (also called fairness and justice) refers to the distribution of benefits and costs in society and the degree to which it is considered appropriate. Transportation planning decisions have significant equity impacts. They affect the allocation of valuable public resources and impact people’s quality of life and economic opportunities. 

This is a timely issue. With most communities wanting to become more equitable, practitioners have a responsibility to consider equity in their analysis. In the past, transportation system performance was evaluated based primarily on travel speeds, which favored faster but more costly modes such as driving over slower but more affordable modes with lower external costs such as walking, bicycling, and public transit. Equity received little consideration. In recent years, major transportation organizations including the Institute of Transportation Engineers and the Transportation Research Board have made commitments to social equity and justice. 

However, equity analysis can be challenging. A particular policy or planning decision may seem equitable if evaluated using one set of definitions and metrics, but not if evaluated using others. 

This new three-page "quickbite" publication authored by Todd Litman provides an overview of key transportation equity concepts and describes practical ways to incorporate equity analysis into planning. It summarizes a more comprehensive report on the subject.

Comprehensive equity analysis is multifaceted; it considers various equity types, impacts, metrics, and groups. Horizontal equity assumes that people with similar needs and abilities should be treated similarly. Vertical equity assumes that disadvantaged people should receive favorable treatment. Comprehensive transportation equity analysis considers the following five categories:

  1. A fair share of resources (also called fairness or equality). It implies that people should “get what they pay for and pay for what they get,” unless subsidies are specifically justified.
  2. External costs. Costs that travel activities impose on other people, such as delays, risk, and pollution, are unfair. Fairness requires minimizing or compensating for such impacts.
  3. Inclusivity - vertical equity with regard to need and ability. This considers how transportation systems serve people with disabilities, youths and seniors, and other special mobility needs. This justifies multimodal planning and universal design requirements.
  4. Affordability - vertical equity with regard to income. This considers how transportation systems affect lower-income people. Policies that favor lower-income people are called progressive and those that favor higher-income people are called regressive. This justifies policies that improve affordable modes and subsidize low-income travelers.
  5. Social justice. This considers how transportation systems serve disadvantaged and underserved groups, and address structural injustices such as racism and sexism.

This is an opportunity for planners. More comprehensive equity analysis allows transportation policy and planning decisions to better respond to community needs and values. 

 

Monday, January 31, 2022 in Evaluating Transportation Equity

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Bird's eye view of manufactured home park.

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing

Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

March 25, 2025 - Shelterforce

U-Haul truck on road with blurred grassy roadside in background.

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?

Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

March 27, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Rusty abandoned oil well and equipment with prickly pear cactus next to it in West Texas.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage

Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

March 31, 2025 - Pennsylvania State University

Aerial view of schoolyard in Oakland, California with newly planted trees, sports courts, and playground equipment.

Greening Oakland’s School Grounds

With help from community partners like the Trust for Public Land, Oakland Unified School District is turning barren, asphalt-covered schoolyards into vibrant, green spaces that support outdoor learning, play, and student well-being.

April 2 - FacilitiesNet

Power lines at golden hour with downtown Los Angeles in far background.

California Governor Suspends CEQA Reviews for Utilities in Fire Areas

Utility restoration efforts in areas affected by the January wildfires in Los Angeles will be exempt from environmental regulations to speed up the rebuilding of essential infrastructure.

April 2 - Los Angeles Times

Green roadside sign with white text reading "Entering Nez Perce Indian Reservation" against grassy field and blue sky.

Native American Communities Prepare to Lead on Environmental Stewardship

In the face of federal threats to public lands and conservation efforts, indigenous groups continue to model nature-centered conservation efforts.

April 2 - The Conversation