Researchers from NYU Tandon School of Engineering used synthetically generated population data to assess the equity impacts of distributing transportation resources in New York State. The study, published in Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, aimed to determine the best way to invest in transportation services while considering equity as an objective. The researchers developed a new approach for transportation planning, showing that synthetic data can consistently assess equity impacts across large regions like New York State.
The research team developed an “equity-aware choice-based decision support tool” that selects optimal service regions for new mobility services based on four objectives: maximizing total revenue, maximizing total consumer surplus, minimizing consumer surplus disparity, and minimizing consumer surplus insufficiency. The first two objectives focus on making the transportation system more efficient and profitable overall, while the last two objectives prioritize distributing benefits equitably among different consumer groups and regions.
Using the tool with synthetic data, researchers focused on two hypothetical mobility services: ride-hailing services with shorter travel times but higher trip fares, and on-demand microtransit services with longer travel times but lower trip fares. The results showed that investing in ride-hailing services maximized revenue, prioritizing these services in metropolitan areas like New York City. In contrast, prioritizing on-demand microtransit services in disadvantaged communities minimized consumer surplus disparity. Splitting the budget between ride-hailing and microtransit services balanced equity and efficiency across urban and rural areas.
Replica, a transportation data and analytics firm, provided the synthetic data for the study. The dataset combines real mobility, demographic, and built environment information with mathematical models, providing details like travel demand patterns, transportation network characteristics, and mode choices for a given region. The researchers’ analysis showed that microtransit played a significant role in boosting equity, particularly in disadvantaged areas, but required subsidies to offset lower productivity compared to ride-hailing services. The study aimed to create a way to analyze and allocate transportation resources nationally to produce equitable outcomes throughout the U.S.
Overall, the research highlights the importance of using synthetic data to assess equity impacts in transportation planning. The study provides valuable insights into how investing in different mobility services can affect revenue, consumer surplus, and equity across diverse regions. By considering these factors, policymakers can make more informed decisions about distributing transportation resources to create a more equitable and efficient transportation system. The researchers hope that their work will contribute to creating more equitable, sustainable, and economically resilient cities while protecting personal privacy.
