Jump to navigation

informal-brandmark-inverseBrandmark inverse informal-brandmarkDesktop Brandmark
Give eNews login
  • Go to Instagram
  • Go to Twitter
  • Go to Facebook
  • Life & Work
    • Headlines
    • Publications
    • Events
    • Student Work
    • Faculty Work
    • Alumni Work
    • Student Affairs
    • Courses
    • Resources Tour
    • Student Appointments
  • Programs
    • Architecture
    • Architectural History
    • Community and Regional Planning
    • Historic Preservation
    • Interior Design
    • Landscape Architecture
    • Sustainable Design
    • Urban Design
  • Apply
    • Become a Longhorn
    • Undergraduate Admissions
    • Undergraduate Minors
    • Graduate Admissions
    • Student Funding
    • Student Computer Policy
  • Resources
    • Career Services
    • Conservation Lab
    • Build Lab
    • Technology Lab
    • Materials Lab
    • Professional Residency Program
    • Thermal Lab
    • Urban Information Lab
    • Visual Resources Collection
  • Libraries & Centers
    • Alexander Architectural Archives
    • Architecture and Planning Library
    • Center for American Architecture and Design
    • Center for Sustainable Development
    • Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
    • USDOT UTC Cooperative Mobility for Competitive Megaregions
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • Dean's Message
    • Diversity
    • Support & Donate
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • Alumni
    • Staff
    • Contacts
  • Search
  • Life & Work
    • Headlines
      • UTSOA COVID-19 Campus Updates
        • Fall 2020 Frequently Asked Questions
        • Student Support Services
        • Contact and Availability
    • Publications
      • eNews
        • eNews Archive
      • CAAD Publications
        • About
        • CENTER
        • Centerline
        • Other CAAD Publications
      • ISSUE:
      • O'Neil Ford Series
      • Platform
      • Style & Branding
    • Events
      • Lectures & Exhibitions
      • Goldsmith Interviews
      • Past
        • Fall 2017
        • Spring 2017
        • Fall 2016 Series
        • Spring 2016 Series
        • Fall 2015 Series
        • Spring 2015 Series
        • Fall 2014 Series
      • Additional SOA and non-SOA events
    • Student Work
      • Fall 2020 Final Reviews
        • November 30
        • December 2
        • December 3
        • December 4
      • Design Excellence 2019-2020
      • Final Reviews: Spring 2020
      • MSHP Thesis 2020
    • Faculty Work
    • Alumni Work
    • Student Affairs
      • Undergraduate Office
        • Academic Grievances
        • Grade Disputes
        • Helpful Info
        • Independent Study Instructions
        • SOA Success Scholars
      • Graduate Office
        • Academic Grievances
        • Grade Disputes
        • Certificate in Latin American Architecture
      • Career Services
      • CARE Counselor
      • Dean's Ambassadors
      • Student Awards
        • Dean's Design Distinction
        • Design Excellence
          • Fall 2020 Nominees
          • Summer 2020 Nominees
          • 2019-2020 Winners
          • Spring 2020 Nominees
          • Fall 2019 Nominees
          • Spring 2019
          • Fall 2018
          • Spring 2018
          • Fall 2017
          • Spring 2017
          • Fall 2016
      • Undergraduate Architecture Student Council
        • Material Exchange
      • Graduate School of Architecture Representative Council
      • Student Organizations
      • Study Abroad
      • International Travel Policy
      • Student Funding
    • Courses
      • Spring 2021
      • Fall 2020
      • Past Courses
        • Summer 2020
        • Spring 2020
    • Resources Tour
    • Student Appointments
  • Programs
    • Architecture
      • Undergraduate Degrees
      • Undergraduate Minors
      • Graduate Degrees
        • M Arch
          • Degree Requirements
          • Sample Curriculum
          • Vertical Studios
            • Principles and Intentions
            • The Four Streams
        • MAAD
        • PhD
          • Degree Requirements
          • Courses & Curriculum
      • Studio Culture
      • Interdisciplinary Studies
      • NAAB Accreditation Info
      • Licensure
      • Faculty
      • Students
      • Work
    • Architectural History
      • Faculty
      • MA & PhD Programs
      • For MArch Students
      • Admissions
      • Students
      • Recent Dissertations in Architectural History
      • Publications
    • Community and Regional Planning
      • MSCRP Program
        • Current Students
      • Dual Degree and Certificate Programs
        • CRP/Latin American Studies
          • CRP/LA Faculty
          • CRP/LA Projects
          • CRP/LA Students
          • CRP/LA Alumni
          • CRP/LA Contact
        • CRP/LBJ School of Public Affairs
          • CRP/LBJ Alumni
          • CRP/LBJ Contact
          • CRP/LBJ Students
        • CRP/School of Law
        • ​CRP/Sustainable Design
        • CRP/Urban Design
      • PhD program
        • PhD Degree Requirements
        • PhD Projects
        • Doctoral Student Profiles
        • Doctoral Alumni Profiles
      • Program Strengths
      • Faculty
      • Planning Forum
        • Call for Submissions
      • City Forum Lecture Series
      • CRP Student Organization
        • Events
      • Resources
        • GIS Education & Resources
          • GIS Showcase
          • GIS Tutorials
          • GIS Data
        • Online Planning Resources
      • Career Prospects
      • 2015-16 Strategic Plan
      • Performance Measures
      • Support CRP
      • International Students
      • Student Financial Support
    • Historic Preservation
      • Program & Degrees Offered
        • Courses Overview
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Links of Interest
      • Conservation Lab
      • Work
      • News
      • Resources
      • Faculty
      • Students
        • Alumni
      • Student Historic Preservation Association
    • Interior Design
      • Undergraduate Degree
        • Courses Overview
        • Student Achievement
        • Licensure
      • Undergraduate Minor
      • Graduate Degrees
        • MID I
        • MID II
        • Student Achievement
        • Licensure
      • Faculty
      • Students
      • News
      • Work
      • Studio Culture
    • Landscape Architecture
      • Program Mission
      • Degree Programs + Information
        • MLA I
          • Degree Requirements
          • Sample Curriculum
        • MLA II
        • Landscape Studies Minor
      • Courses Overview
        • Landscape Architecture Advanced Electives
      • Work
      • Faculty
      • Students
      • Public Policy Information
      • Licensure
      • FAQ
    • Sustainable Design
      • Degree Programs and Procedures
        • Master of Architecture
        • Master of Advanced Architectural Design
        • Master of Science in Sustainable Design
        • PhD in History, Preservation and Sustainability
      • Core Course Schedule
      • Student Work & Scholarship
      • Faculty
      • Students
      • Academics
      • Alumni
      • Resources and Links of Interest
      • Support Sustainable Design
      • Work
    • Urban Design
      • Degree Programs
      • Courses Overview
      • ULI Competition
      • CRP/Urban Design
      • Faculty
      • Students
      • Work
  • Apply
    • Become a Longhorn
    • Undergraduate Admissions
      • Freshman FAQ
      • External Transfer FAQ
      • Internal Transfer
        • Internal Transfer FAQ
      • Visit the Undergraduate Program
      • Contact
    • Undergraduate Minors
    • Graduate Admissions
      • Application Instructions
        • M Arch
        • MAAD
        • MAAH
        • MID I
        • MID II
        • MLA I
        • MLA II
        • MSAS
        • MSCRP
        • MSHP
        • MSSD
        • MSUD
        • PhD in ARC
        • PhD in CRP
      • Graduate Admissions FAQ
      • Visit
      • Contact
      • Virtual Graduate Office Visit
        • Advanced Studies
        • Architecture
        • Community & Regional Planning
        • Interior Design
        • Landscape Architecture
        • Urban Design
    • Student Funding
      • Financial Aid
      • Recruitment Funding
      • Continuing Student Scholarships
        • Scholarship Recipient Instructions
          • Thank-you Letters
          • Recipient FAQ
      • Independent Research Travel Scholarships
        • Sample Travel Proposals
        • Travel Award Recipient Instructions
      • Academic Employment
        • GRA Information
        • TA Information
      • Other Resources
    • Student Computer Policy
  • Resources
    • Career Services
      • Student Resources
      • COVID Employment Resources
      • Employer Resources
      • Events
      • Job Board
      • Employment Reports
      • Alumni Resources
    • Conservation Lab
    • Build Lab
    • Technology Lab
      • Technology Desk
      • Equipment & Facilities
        • Room and Equipment Reservations
      • Digital Fabrication Lab
        • Laser Cutting
        • Oscillating CNC Knife
        • CNC routing
        • 3D Printing
        • 3D Scanning
      • Robotics Lab
      • Computer Classrooms
        • Software
      • Personal Computing
        • Software Support
          • Software Downloads
      • Instructional Technology Tools
      • Classroom Technology
      • Tech Support
      • Technology Resources and Innovation Group
    • Materials Lab
      • About
      • Collection
        • Highlights
        • Circulation
        • Digital Collections
          • Building Reuse, Reuse in Building
            • Building Reuse, Reuse in Building Digital Collection
          • Green Infrastructure
            • Green Infrastructure Digital Collection
      • Events
      • Research
        • Material Methods
      • Resources
        • Local Resources
        • More Materials
      • Contact
    • Professional Residency Program
      • Apply
      • Firms
      • Schedule
      • Courses
      • Fees
      • PRP Now!
    • Thermal Lab
      • About
      • Projects
      • Publications
    • Urban Information Lab
      • About
      • People
      • Work
      • Funded Projects
      • Headlines
    • Visual Resources Collection
      • Exhibitions
      • Events
      • Publications
      • Connect
  • Libraries & Centers
    • Alexander Architectural Archives
    • Architecture and Planning Library
    • Center for American Architecture and Design
      • Events
        • CAAD Book Launches
        • CAAD Symposia
        • Friday Lunch Forums
      • Publications
        • About
        • CENTER
        • Centerline
        • Other CAAD Publications
      • Contact
    • Center for Sustainable Development
      • About
        • Faculty Fellows
        • Partners
        • Staff
      • Research
        • Publications
        • Public Interest Design
        • Texas CityLab
          • Projects
            • Pflugerville
            • Leander
            • UT Austin
          • Events
          • FAQ
        • Texas Housing Lab
          • About
            • People
              • Faculty
              • Graduate Students
              • Affiliates
            • Contact
            • FAQ
          • Research
          • Publications
          • Classes
          • Resources
          • Recently Added
      • Projects
      • Resources
        • Finding Funding
        • Grant Administration
        • Snell
    • Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
    • USDOT UTC Cooperative Mobility for Competitive Megaregions
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • Dean's Message
    • Diversity
      • SOAvoices
    • Support & Donate
      • Endowments
      • Friends of Architecture
        • Current Tours & Events
        • Past Tours & Events
      • Gift and Estate Planning
      • Goldsmith Society
      • UTSOA Advisory Council
      • Contact
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • Alumni
      • Stay Connected
    • Staff
    • Contacts
      • SOA Facilities Request/Report
  • Search

Transit Deserts in the United States

  • Albequeque

    Abq TD
  • Atlanta

    ATL TD
  • Austin

    ATX TD
  • Baltimore

    BAL TD
  • Boston

    BOS TD
  • Buffalo

    BUF TD
  • Charlotte

    CLT TD
  • Chicago

    CHI TD
  • Cincinnati

    CIN TD
  • Cleveland

    CLE TD
  • Colorado Springs

    CS TD
  • Columbus

    CMH TD
  • Dallas MetroPlex

    DFW TD
  • Denver

    DEN TD
  • Detroit

    DTW TD
  • District of Columbia

    DC TD
  • El Paso

    ELP TD
  • Honolulu

    HNL TD
  • Houston

    HOU TD
  • Indianapolis

    IND TD
  • Kansas City

    KC TD
  • Las Vegas

    LV TD
  • Los Angeles

    LA TD
  • Louisville

    LOU TD
  • Miami

    MIA TD
  • Milwaukee

    MIL TD
  • Nashville

    NAS TD
  • New Orleans

    NOL TD
  • New York City

    NYC TD
  • Oakland

    OAK TD
  • Oklahoma City

    OKC TD
  • Orlando

    ORL TD
  • Portland

    PDX TD
  • Phoenix

    PHX TD
  • Raleigh Durham

    RDU TD
  • Sacramento

    SAC TD
  • St. Louis

    STL TD
  • San Antonio

    SA TD
  • San Diego

    SD TD
  • San Francisco

    SF TD
  • San Jose

    SJ TD
  • Seattle

    SEA TD
  • Tuscon

    TUS TD
  • Twin Cities

    TC TD
  • Wichita

    WIC TD

Albequeque

Abq TD

Atlanta

ATL TD

Austin

ATX TD

Baltimore

BAL TD

Boston

BOS TD

Buffalo

BUF TD

Charlotte

CLT TD

Chicago

CHI TD

Cincinnati

CIN TD

Cleveland

CLE TD

Colorado Springs

CS TD

Columbus

CMH TD

Dallas MetroPlex

DFW TD

Denver

DEN TD

Detroit

DTW TD

District of Columbia

DC TD

El Paso

ELP TD

Honolulu

HNL TD

Houston

HOU TD

Indianapolis

IND TD

Kansas City

KC TD

Las Vegas

LV TD

Los Angeles

LA TD

Louisville

LOU TD

Miami

MIA TD

Milwaukee

MIL TD

Nashville

NAS TD

New Orleans

NOL TD

New York City

NYC TD

Oakland

OAK TD

Oklahoma City

OKC TD

Orlando

ORL TD

Portland

PDX TD

Phoenix

PHX TD

Raleigh Durham

RDU TD

Sacramento

SAC TD

St. Louis

STL TD

San Antonio

SA TD

San Diego

SD TD

San Francisco

SF TD

San Jose

SJ TD

Seattle

SEA TD

Tuscon

TUS TD

Twin Cities

TC TD

Wichita

WIC TD
January 2018

America's cities are growing faster than every before. As of 2016 the Census Bureau estimates that over 80% of all Americans live in an urban area. Increasing urbanization presents numerous problems, however. Chief among these problems is access to transportation as transit networks are being strained under this increased demand. Inevitably some areas of cities are not being adequately served by current transit networks. Transit dependent populations (those who do not or cannot drive) are particularly vulnerable to being under-served by transportation networks. A "transit desert", a term coined by Dr. Jiao, describes an area of a city where transit demand, measured as the transit dependent population, outstrips transit supply. This research aims to identify these transit deserts in 50 major US cities by using GIS based analysis methods, developed in the Urban Information Lab led by Dr. Junfeng Jiao, that are quick to implement and flexible. Moreover, by focusing on transit dependent populations we can identify areas of cities, in need of more transportation, that traditional transit planning methods may miss. For each city the the unit of analysis is the Census Block Group, essentially equivalent to a couple city blocks.

The supply metrics vary by city as the transit supply is different for each city. However, in general, the metrics include street length, sidewalk length, public transit network(s) route length, bike lane route length, number of public transit stops, number of street intersections and the average number of public transit trips per hour and number of trips per day. The demand (transit dependent population) for each block group is again calculated using processing models in ArcMap using data from the American Community Survey 2011-2015. A negative gap between demand and supply is considered a transit deserts. 

Through this analysis, we have found that the central business district is almost always well served by transit. Outer lying areas in which people generally own vehicles are also well-served, but this is not always the case. High-density, residential, urban areas are generally the least well served areas of any given city because people are less likely to own cars in these areas and thus demand is high. This research highlights some of the shortcomings in traditional transit planning approaches because such methods almost always focus on easing daily commute times instead of taking a more holistic look at cities. Possible solutions to transit desert problems, include but are not limited to shared biking systems, Transit Network Companies i.e. Uber, informal transit systems (van-pool), or customized transit systems.

photo of Junfeng Jiao

Junfeng Jiao

photo of Christopher Bischak

Christopher Bischak

Transit Desert USA
Uber, London Bus and Transit Desert by Wired
Tags:
Transit Deserts

Life & Work

  • Headlines
  • Publications
  • Events
  • Student Work
  • Faculty Work
  • Alumni Work
  • Student Affairs
  • Courses
  • Resources Tour
  • Student Appointments
formal-brandmark-seal formal-brandmark-university formal-brandmark-school
  • Go to eNews
  • Go to Facebook
  • Go to Twitter
  • Go to Instagram
  • Go to Vimeo
  • go to flickr
  • Go to Pinterest
  • Go to Linkedin
  • Quicklinks
The University of Texas at Austin
School of Architecture
310 Inner Campus Drive B7500
Austin, TX 78712-1009

512.471.1922
UT Privacy UT Web Accessibility Get Adobe Acrobat