Tackling Transportation Inequality through Unveiling Chicago’s Transit Deserts and Vulnerable Communities

Abstract

Despite having an extensive and robust transit network operated by the Chicago Transit Authority, there are still underserved communities within the city. This paper examines transit access in Chicago and its impact on socioeconomic disparities. Within the last two decades only, Chicago has grown more segregated by income over time while losing its middle class, proceeding to several inequality challenges regarding race, disability, housing tenure, and employment, among others. What is the role of transit access in addressing these challenges? To answer these questions, in this study, we evaluated transportation equity throughout the city by a series of spatial analyses, identifying the transit-dependent hot spots within the city and transit-desert areas, for which we use data sets of current service areas and service quality. Then, we compared these transit desert areas to a multitude of socioeconomic factors to identify populations in the city of Chicago who are at a higher risk of transportation inequality and the role of transit desert areas in the growing socioeconomic disparities in the region. The results of this study found multiple areas throughout the city of Chicago that had a high demand for transportation but were not being met with adequate transit access. The majority of the discovered transit desert areas were located in the deprived neighborhoods on the far south side and west sides of the city. The findings provide a generalizable methodological framework using publicly available data sets for identifying transit-vulnerable communities and informing policy development for transportation equity challenges in different cities and contexts. This study highlights critical gaps in public transportation access in Chicago, focusing on transit deserts—areas where residents face inadequate public transit options despite high dependency. By employing spatial analysis, the research identifies underserved neighborhoods on the south and west sides of Chicago, such as Englewood, West Englewood, Austin, Humboldt Park, and South Deering, which are predominantly low-income, minority communities. These transit deserts exacerbate socioeconomic disparities, limiting access to employment, education, and essential services. The developed methodology offers a replicable framework for other cities for assessing transit equity using publicly available data sets, combining transit supply–demand mapping with socioeconomic analysis. Policymakers can use this framework to prioritize investments in underserved areas, such as enhancing bus and rail services, expanding routes, and introducing last-mile solutions like e-scooters or shared bikes. Additionally, the study underscores the importance of addressing systemic barriers, including historical underinvestment, and promoting community engagement in transportation planning. The findings inform strategies to bridge transit equity gaps, contributing to broader efforts to achieve environmental and social justice in urban transportation systems. These insights can guide equitable infrastructure development in cities nationwide and internationally.