ABSTRACT
This chapter examines specific policies that have direct bearing on transportation equity and environmental justice concerns. Certain trends in transportation, such as increased use of economically regressive road and lane tolling, mirror the increased income and wage gap in the United States and thus exacerbate legal inequality with continued economic inequality. The lack of transportation mobility among welfare recipients was illustrated in the report by low rates of vehicle ownership, in some cases as low as 6 percent. Environmental justice efforts related to transportation are encouraging public involvement during the impact assessment phases of project development that can be crucial for residents of disproportionately impacted neighborhoods. The requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 unquestionably apply to transportation decision-making processes. Planning policy that is legally viable will be durable and stand a better chance of discouraging or minimizing the service delivery inequities.
