Integrating Equity in Transportation Decision-Making / MnDOT
Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has integrated equity into transportation decision-making through its Advancing Transportation Equity Initiative, which seeks to enhance access and opportunities for underserved communities in the state. This initiative is based on community input and feedback received during the development of the 2017 Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan. The plan identified the reduction of transportation disparities and the incorporation of equity into decision-making processes as high-priority objectives. The 2022 Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan, along with its internal Strategic Plan, includes additional goals, strategies, and actions to further advance transportation equity. MnDOT is committed to creating an equitable transportation system.
| Acknowledge Inequalities | Defining Transportation Equity: | Proposed Journey |
|---|---|---|
| MnDOT acknowledges historical injustices in transportation, where some communities were underserved and harmed by agency decisions. They recognize that past choices denied Black, Indigenous, and disabled communities full transportation benefits. | Transportation equity, as defined by MnDOT, seeks fairness and justice in the distribution of benefits and burdens within transportation systems, with a focus on empowering underserved communities, particularly Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, in decision-making processes. | MnDOT acknowledges that their journey toward transforming transportation systems and achieving equity requires ongoing listening, learning, adaptation, and implementation. |
MnDOT has facilitated a series of conversations between MnDOT staff and individuals and organizations that work with and represent underserved communities in Minnesota through the Community Conversation Project. The objective of these conversations is to directly learn from underserved communities about their unique experiences and challenges with transportation. Main findings include:
- Inadequate transportation options create barriers to the community.
- Private vehicles are common.
- Capacity of public transit does not meet demand.
- Land use and natural barriers also affect access.
- Relationships are key to engagement.
- People have many ideas to solve challenges with transportation equity.
- Organizations provided varied definitions and examples of equity.
These conversations have culminated in the creation of a report for each of the eight operational districts, which summarizes findings and provides recommendations for the future direction of transportation decisions. Additionally, MnDOT has initiated "The Equitable Contracting and Engagement" project to explore methods of enhancing the accessibility and inclusivity of MnDOT's contracting and engagement processes. MnDOT aims to collaborate with more community-based organizations and nonprofits and advance their engagement efforts. Furthermore, MnDOT has prioritized and sponsored research projects with an equity focus to enhance understanding and promote initiatives that embrace equity principles.
Note: This practice example was derived from the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s website. Further details on the “Advancing Transportation Equity Initiative” can be found here: https://dot.state.mn.us/planning/program/advancing-transportation-equity/
Read more in the chapter: 2.6.2 Integrating Equity in TAM Practices