SWUTC Research Project Description

Title of Project:  The Effect of Public Transit on Social and Economic Opportunities for Youth

Project Number:  169204

Principal Investigator:
Talia McCray
(512) 471-2708
P.I. Affiliation:  University of Texas at Austin
tmccray@austin.utexas.edu

Project Monitor:
Todd Hemingson
VP Strategic Planning and Development
Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
2910 East 5th St.
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 369-6036
Todd.hemingson@capmetro.org

Project Status:  Active

Date Started:  9/1/08

Estimation Completion Date:  8/31/09

Estimated Cost - Current Fiscal:  $39,000

Estimated Cost - Total Planned:  $39,000

Project Summary:
Project Abstract:
A pilot project will be conducted at a high school on the East Side to address the accessibility needs of low-income teenagers.  Teenagers are tomorrow’s workforce and an ideal audience to bring about change in travel behavior and change in attitudes towards the environment.  Teenagers, with limited access to autos, experience high space-time constraints, due to active schedules and dependence on drivers.  Often their busy schedules present challenges to the household.  These challenges are most severe in low-income households where there are no autos or one auto that is shared among many members.  The study will use innovative techniques, involving youth in a teaching setting, to explore the degree to which Austin’s public transit, Capital Metro, can be used to meet the needs of low-income urban teenagers who need access to job sites, recreation, and other activities that affect their quality of life? 

Project Objectives:
Cities across the country have implemented successful mobility training programs for the elderly population.  These programs include routing assistance, connecting flexible route with fixed route, and planning multiple trips.  Could a similar program be developed for youth that would not only train them how to use the system, but also provide life-skills training in how to positively interact with others in shared public spaces, including the bus environment?  This project seeks to explore creative techniques, both for data collection and analysis in addressing teenagers perceptions of public transit and use of public transit.  In addition, the study will design and distribute a travel survey to the larger population of students (~400) to address typical activities and modal use, along with socio-economic factors.  The project seeks to understand the spatial and temporal constraints that exist for urban teenagers.

Task Descriptions:
Task 1 (Sep/Oct/Nov):
Hire and train graduate students, Identify an East Austin High School, Meet with Capitol Metro, Order GPS units, build an Austin database of appropriate GIS data, get IRB approval

Task 2 (Nov/Dec):
Developing the survey and sessions for training high school students

Task 3 (Jan/Feb):
In high school training sessions on a biweekly basis, pass out 400 surveys

Task 4 (Mar/Apr):
Mobility training sessions & bus excursions

Task 5 (May/Jun):
Wrap-up sessions with students, begin exploring data

Task 6 (Jun/Jul/Aug):
Analyze data, work on articles, prepare final SWUTC report

Index Terms:
Transit operating agencies, Public transit, Economic impacts, Adolescents, Low income groups, Accessibility, Austin (Texas), Research projects