Economic Analysis of Public Transportation in Reno, Nevada

Access to public transit is important and beneficial economically and socially in numerous ways. Using economic and demographic variables from U.S. Census data, the authors have examined who is being served by public transit in Reno, as well as examined the flow of workers to their jobs to identify possible locations for expansion. The authors focus on areas with high densities of workers and jobs, especially those that are low income. The first part of their research looks at access to public transit, which they define as individuals living or working within 400 meters of a bus stop. The second part of the research consists of an analysis on use of public transit. They have been conducting regression analyses on the factors that influence choice of transportation to work. After their data analyses, they have found locations that are possibly being underserved by public transit based of their specified criteria. The focus was placed on areas of high density levels of workers and jobs, with an emphasis on low-income workers. From their analysis on public transit access, they have found that there are several areas that have strong potential for usage should the RTC expand its service to those areas. There are four important findings from this research: 1) There are several areas that have strong potential for usage if the RTC were to expand its service to those areas. 2) Many non-served areas the authors identified had higher densities of individuals likely to take public transit than areas currently being served. 3) The regression analyses support the idea of lower income individuals being more likely to take public transit. 4) The regressions also show that race is an important factor in addition to income. Many of the non-served areas the authors identified had higher densities of individuals likely to take public transit than some of the areas currently being served. Their regression analyses support the idea of lower income individuals being more likely to take public transit. Additionally, the regressions show us that not only is income an important factor, but race is influential as well. These results can be helpful in terms of locating good quality locations for public transit service, as well as identifying the current service locations that may not be as good. This research has shown that there are numerous areas with strong potential for public transit usage, as well as areas that are possibly being overserved.

• Record URL:
  https://www.unr.edu/Documents/engineering/solaris/Public Transit in Reno_Song_Rieger[1].pdf
• 
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/32590
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This document was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program.
• Corporate Authors:

  SOLARIS University Transportation Center

  University of Nevada
  Reno, NV  United States 

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Song, Shunfeng
  • Rieger, Aaron
• Publication Date: 2017-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 36p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accessibility; Economic analysis; Low income groups; Public transit; Regression analysis; Transportation disadvantaged persons
• Uncontrolled Terms: Service expansion
• Geographic Terms: Reno (Nevada)
• Subject Areas: Economics; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01644694
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: UTC, NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: Aug 29 2017 10:09AM