Transport divide

Attempts to fix the fear barriers through increased surveillance and policing have however been linked to the lowering of the usage of such services by other groups, such as youth.

Gentrification has forced disadvantaged individuals and households to move farther outside of the urban center, creating a need for accessible and stable transportation.

[11] Subsidizing low-income housing in low-density areas creates isolated communities with limited access to transportation.

This act, along with the GI bill which provided support for veterans to become homeowners, facilitated suburbanization and urban sprawl.

[16] Public transportation provides access to employment, education, social activities, health services, food, among other necessities.

[17] Those on the periphery of urban centers may struggle to find efficient public transportation if they do not live close to their places of employment.

[1] The journey cycle of public transportation has several elements, such as traveling to the transit station, purchasing tickets, finding the correct service, boarding and disembarking, that often are not accessible for those with disabilities.

[3] One study in Cambodia piloted a Journey Access Tool (JAT) which identifies barriers to public transportation for those with disabilities.

[19] There are many negative consequences to such widespread car ownership, such as climate change, urban sprawl, health risks, and traffic that hinders economic growth and commutes.

[25] Visa waiver policies have changed in the last 5 decades as globalization and technological innovation has increased ease of mobility.

[27] Shachar (2009) uses the term "birthright lottery" to refer to how one’s ability to move throughout the world is determined by one’s country of birth.

Informal networks may include people taking out unofficial loans from friends and family to purchase a vehicle or carpooling with a coworker or neighbor.

And if it's pouring rain and cold, with two babies, you can't walk an hour to the bus stop anyway.”[30] Stress involving transportation is higher for people in rural communities.

[31] While programs like Medicaid and others have attempted to combat this issue, there are millions of uninsured Americans who can not access these services as a result.

Some rural communities have instituted transportation services that combine ride-share and shuttle practices to serve older adults and disadvantaged persons.

Project TRIP (Transporting Residents with Innovative Practices) began in 2015 in a rural area of North Carolina.

It is privately funded and “provides free individualized transportation to health care appointments, pharmacies, grocery stores/food banks, and other places that support health and well-being.”[32] The program lifted some of the financial burdens off of these people’s shoulders as well as allowed them to attend important medical appointments without stress.

Another effect of transport disadvantage is increased exposure to traffic, which has risks through air pollution and car crashes.

One study in Australia found that transport disadvantage is associated with an increased perception of crime in a neighborhood, worsened physical and mental health, less engagement in civic and social activities, and lower overall wellbeing.

Their main goal was to achieve an understanding of the research and policy needs related to rural transit for older people and the transportation disadvantaged.

In response to this issue, many felt that the public and private sectors should work together to fund transportation alternatives in rural communities.

[39] Other scholars proposed technological solutions, such as a demand responsive virtual transport market in rural communities.

Some urban planners advocate for denser, mixed-use city neighborhoods that are more people friendly with more public transportation and less traffic.

The car-free movement aims to reduce the centrality of car usage in society through urban planning and public transportation.

May Mobility, an Ann Arbor, Michigan-based autonomous vehicle company is striving toward a greener, innovative future.