Extreme Weather and Transportation Equity

Urban bus ridership, income, and extreme weather events

Nicole S. Ngo, Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment
Volume 77, December 2019, Pages 464-475

Climate change is projected to worsen weather extremes, such as heat waves and days of heavy precipitation, which could pose serious health and economic risks to U.S. cities. These extreme weather events could also affect urban mobility, since people who walk or bike may shift to public transit or avoid travel if they cannot afford a vehicle.

A person sitting on a bench at a public transit stop with no trees in sight. In the background appears to be an institutional building. The person is sitting on a grey metal bench with their backpack on their right and sprayer backpack on their left. They are wearing a bright, florescent yellow shirt, work pants, and work boots. To their left is a metal trash can.

Results show weather extremes negatively affect bus ridership.

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