Civil Engineering ETDs

Publication Date

Fall 11-13-2020

Abstract

This research analyzed how residential accessibility to fixed-route bus service in Albuquerque, New Mexico varies by distance, income level, and headway. A literature review investigated components of travel that might deter people from using public transit such as travel distance, sidewalk condition or availability, bus headway, lack of active travel in today’s society, personal and traffic safety, and access equity. Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping was used to determine if low-income neighborhoods have better or worse access to ABQ Ride bus stops relative to medium- or high-income neighborhoods. Residential land use was divided into three economic classes based on 2018 median household income. A random point for every 100 people was generated and connected with the closest bus stop through a spatial network analysis. Statistical analysis was performed to determine if there is any statistical significance between distance to bus stop and economic class. A bivariate choropleth map was produced to compare proximity to bus stop and bus headway in an attempt to reveal areas of improvement for the Albuquerque fixed-route bus network. Next steps for this research include an investigation of the following factors: trip destination, number of boardings, bus transfers, paratransit service, ADA compliance, and overall transit equity.

Keywords

Public Transit, Accessibility, Fixed-Route, Residential, Network Analysis, Albuquerque

Document Type

Thesis

Language

English

Degree Name

Civil Engineering

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Civil Engineering

First Committee Member (Chair)

Nicholas Ferenchak, Ph.D., P.E.

Second Committee Member

Susan Bogus Halter, Ph.D., P.E.

Third Committee Member

Claude Morelli, AICP, PTP

Download

Share

COinS