Centering the Margins: The Transportation Experience of Underserved Communities

Fan, Yingling; Greenberg, Gillian; Panchal, Niyati; Wilson, Maxwell; Luna, Christina; Amrhein, Joseph; Benda, Samuel; Song, Ying; Zeng, Xiaohuan · 2023 · ROSA P / Minnesota. Department of Transportation. Office of Research & Innovation

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Summary

This study addresses systemic inequities in transportation systems by centering the lived experiences of underserved communities in Minnesota. Motivated by the recognition that transportation infrastructure often reflects dominant societal power structures while neglecting marginalized groups, the research aims to understand how transportation barriers impact the ability of these communities to achieve "human flourishing." Guided by Vanderweele’s Human Flourishing Framework, the study examines how mobility affects five essential life domains: work, family, health, community, and spirituality. The project seeks to dismantle structural inequality by amplifying the voices of ten specific underserved communities, including Latinx, African American, Hmong, immigrants, people with disabilities, people living with HIV, single mothers, and single fathers in the Twin Cities, as well as transitioning home residents in Fergus Falls and tribal members of the White Earth Nation in Greater Minnesota. The research employed a mixed-method approach involving 130 participants recruited through community partner organizations. Data collection included qualitative interviews to identify systemic barriers and coping strategies, alongside quantitative smartphone-based travel behavior surveys using the Daynamica app. The app captured detailed trip data, including mode, duration, distance, and frequency, as well as participants’ perceptions and attitudes toward their transportation experiences. This design allowed for a comprehensive analysis of both the objective travel patterns and the subjective experiences of mobility across diverse demographic and geographic contexts. The findings reveal that while each community faces distinct challenges, three common themes of inequity persist across all groups. First, public transportation is widely perceived as inadequate, with recurring issues regarding accessibility, timeliness, and safety. Second, car ownership presents a significant barrier; while vehicles are viewed as necessary for timely and direct travel, the financial resources required to purchase and maintain them are often prohibitive for low-income participants. Third, transportation failures directly hinder participants’ ability to engage in meaningful life activities, such as attending medical appointments, visiting family, securing employment, or participating in cultural and spiritual events. The data illustrates that these barriers prevent individuals from achieving personal fulfillment and living a "good life." The study concludes with recommendations to advance transportation equity. It advocates for adopting the human flourishing framework to identify underserved communities and align funding accordingly. The authors recommend reconceptualizing public transportation to include any mobility service that ensures accessibility independent of income, such as ride-hailing and micro-transit. Furthermore, the report urges transformative innovations beyond traditional bus and rail services, collaboration with non-transportation agencies to address broader life outcomes, and the active inclusion of underserved communities in transportation decision-making processes. These steps aim to shift transportation planning from a dominant-centric model to one that prioritizes the needs of marginalized populations.

Key finding

Underserved communities in Minnesota share common transportation barriers, particularly inadequate public transit and difficulties with car ownership, which significantly hinder their ability to achieve personal flourishing across key life domains.

Methodology

mixed_methods

Sample size: 130

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

Topics

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• demographic disparities