Solution 5.0 Action 5.1Action 5.2

05. Expand Access to Opportunity

When all residents can easily travel to various businesses and activity centers, reach a broad range of jobs, and access an education by transit or other affordable trip options, the transportation system can better support economic growth.

However, the region’s transportation system does not always provide equitable access—and, as a result, it fosters inequitable growth that inhibits the Capital Region’s economic potential.

Share of jobs accessible within 45 minutes
Vehicle Transit Bike Walk
Capital Region 28% 2% 4% 10%
Baltimore Metro 72% 4% 10% 1%
Richmond Metro 81% 3% 14% 2%
Washington Metro 62% 6% 10% 1%
Black residents more likely to live in...
Low vehicle ownership, low transit access area Concentrated poverty area
Capital Region 2.9 7.8
Baltimore Metro 1.6 12.5
Richmond Metro 2.8 5.7
Washington Metro 2.4 6

As outlined in other sections of this plan, the Partnership encourages our region to use a common definition of equitable access, and proposes the use of the following: We define equitable access as every resident of the Capital Region—regardless of his or her community, race, ability, or background—having consistent, safe, affordable, and dependable physical access to quality employment with living wages and benefits, education, and necessities that enable economic mobility and opportunity.

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Action 5.1

Increase Density and Ensure Inclusive Development in Areas Near Rapid Transit Corridors

What

Since personal vehicle ownership may be cost-prohibitive for low-income households, a transportation system lacking affordable alternatives to driving can restrict residents’ access to opportunity and their ability to fully contribute to the region’s economic growth. A successful approach is to maximize dense, mixed-use, market-rate, and affordable development near regional transit corridors. This can improve job accessibility, significantly decrease the length of unemployment for workers, increase transit ridership, and increase the region’s supply of affordable housing. In addition, the household cost savings associated with lower transportation costs allow lower-income households to redirect that spending toward other necessities such as healthy food, education, or healthcare.1

Public and private partners can promote walkable, transit-friendly development, also known as “Transit-Oriented Development” (TOD). TOD communities offer a mix of residential, retail, office, and public spaces, covering a compact area that is an average 10-minute walk—or within a quarter-mile—to a transit stop.2 This dense, transit-rich development creates high-opportunity neighborhoods through increased access to jobs, education, health centers, and other essential destinations. Investment in TOD has been proven to provide significant benefits to both the regional economy and the disinvested communities surrounding transit hubs.

Regional leadership from elected officials and civic leaders is required for the Capital Region to maximize the potential benefits from TOD projects. The Partnership urges the region’s leaders both to boost equitable development near transit stations by encouraging increased densities and to invest in preserving and growing affordable housing near rapid transit.

Why

Successful TOD generally requires dense, mixed-use development near transit stops. This development pattern can support increased transit ridership and reduce roadway congestion by increasing the jobs, housing, and activity centers accessible by transit, walking, or bicycling.

Yet, TOD projects can have the unintended effect of pricing low- and middle-income consumers out of transit-rich areas. A study of 17 TOD projects in the U.S. found that consumers have a lifestyle preference for transit-oriented living, which drives up costs when supply is constrained.3 This is occurring in the U.S., with walkable, mixed-use developments demanding a 74 percent rental premium over less dense, car-centric developments.4

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Action 5.2

Adopt Local and Targeted Hiring, Procurement, and Contracting Policies

What

Public agencies spend a significant amount of money each year on construction projects. In the Capital Region, this spending is projected to be over $300 billion between 2015 and 2040.1 Some jurisdictions leverage their buying power to ensure local residents or economically disadvantaged community members are given priority for new jobs created by these publicly-funded projects.

When procuring work for a construction project, the public sector can give preference to contractors and developers who provide family-supporting jobs to local residents, veterans, and workers in disadvantaged communities with high unemployment by establishing inclusive and responsible contracting that generates quality jobs and community benefit through local law, regulation, or agency policy.2 By adopting consistent local and targeted hiring policies in the Capital Region, we can better leverage public dollars to address unemployment and support equitable economic development.

Why

Local and targeted hiring policies, combined with inclusive and responsible contracting policies, maximize the local economic benefits from transportation spending by investing in local talent and providing economically disadvantaged residents not only with quality paying jobs but also with career pathways. Local and targeted hiring policies lead to greater investment in (and retention of) local labor; a greater likelihood that transportation investments benefit the broad regional economy; increased opportunity for targeted groups, which can save public money over the long term; and improved ability for the labor pool to respond to changing demands.

Transportation infrastructure construction offers a tremendous chance to ensure public resources are used to open up new career opportunities to area residents. A well-executed worker recruitment plan can maximize the benefit and expand the job potential for underserved communities. This has proven successful through partnerships with community-based organizations to provide soft skills training and with construction apprenticeship readiness programs that have proven track records of placing graduates into multi-employer programs. Utilizing these programs can build a skilled workforce that in turn will lift the region’s economy by increasing the long-term supply of highly skilled construction workers. These workers can then seek employment with multiple contractors as projects wind down and new ones are started.

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Contact Us

Phone Number

General Inquiries

202 765 2024

Email Address

info@greaterwashingtonpartnership.com media@greaterwashingtonpartnership.com
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