Equity in Transportation Policy Interviews, Transcriptions, and Keyword Coding

Abstract

Equitable outcomes is an increasingly important principle for expenditures by state Departments of Transportation, yet little is known about the methods and procedures used to incorporate equity into financial decision-making. This applied research project will employ semi-structured interviews with key personnel in the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) to illuminate their conceptualization of equity and how the concept influences capital expenditures. The interview data will be compared to the state of the art of equity in transportation and infrastructure spending, which will be gleaned through a literature review. The resulting analysis will highlight gaps and innovative practices at DelDOT, which will lead to recommendations for closing gaps and accentuating positive practices and outcomes. Research findings will be communicated to DelDOT leadership and local government officials.