Unlocking Data for Equitable Transit: The Toolbox for Practitioners and Decision Makers

How are analysts using public data to better align transit service to customer needs, across modes and at local and regional scales? It takes special skill to turn raw data into real insights that lead to implementable solutions. Four unique evaluation methods illustrate how to use data to focus on specific problems your agency or community wants to solve. You may want to measure low income fare subsidies. Or evaluate gender equity in service and fares. Or assess regional mobility using location-based data How about assessing not only access to jobs, but to jobs that are important to particular populations? How can data help target investments in expanding transit? And how do customers and potential riders feel about transit – how can you know? Settle in as we parse the data to drive better decision-making.

Matthew D. Crooks, Strategic Planning Advisor, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Washington, DC
Dalia Leven, AICP, National Planning Lead, Cambridge Systematics, Inc., Bethesda, MD
Alanna McKeeman, Vice President, Senior Project Manager, Foursquare Integrated Transportation Planning, Washington, DC
Zach Hernandez, Director, Client Engagement, AlphaVu, Washington, DC
Jacqueline Nowak, Transit Planning and Analytics Lead, SRF Consulting Group, Minneapolis, MN