Transportation justice. Live in Oakland, work all over California. More from me at laurelintransit.com and transitdataprimer.org
Laurel in Transit
We did a whole episode with Laurel about this recently. It’s important to understand the impacts of these types of decisions. usa.streetsblog.org/2026/04/02/t...
In 2022 residents of Shiloh Alabama filed a complaint with FHWA due to the flooding of a historically Black community caused by a highway expansion project. In 2024 Alabama DOT signed a Voluntary Compliance Agreement to install mitigation to the flooding.
In 1999 in Alamance County NC West End Revitalization Association filed a Title VI complaint over a highway expansion through a majority Black community. In response the planned bypass was modified to save homes, a 200 year old community cemetery, and a historic African-American house of worship.
In 2011 Beavercreek, OH denied the greater Dayton transit agency from putting 3 bus stops near a mall and medical center. LEAD filed a Title VI complaint because of the disparate impact on African-Americans who use the bus. Federal officials ordered the City of Beavercreek to revisit its decision.
🧵 Thread of how, in addition to the Oakland example in the article, Title VI disparate impact complaints have been used as a tool by communities to push back on disproportionate impacts of transportation decisions
From a 2021 disparate impact complaint on displacement and pollution on Black and Latino neighborhoods from a North Houston highway project TX DOT signed a Voluntary Resolution Agreement for design changes, funding for affordable housing in impacted neighborhoods, and flood and pollution mitigation.
In 1994 the Los Angeles Bus Riders Union filed a lawsuit against MTA for raising bus fares and diverting funds from crowded bus service serving majority people of color to build rail lines. They won a consent decree for 10 years that created an affordable weekly bus pass and more bus service.
In 2015 Hillcrest TX residents filed a complaint with FHWA over increased pollution and dislocation of residents from a highway project. TX DOT entered into a Voluntary Resolution Agreement that includes relocation assistance and environmental mitigation. storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/2e75...
It is part of this Administration attack on civil rights. But we don't have to accept it! Transit agencies can still do the analysis. State and local governments that fund transportation can require it. Coverage in KQED: www.kqed.org/news/1208711...
