Analyzing Bus Shelter Provision in Los Angeles County

Project Description

Extreme heat kills more Americans than any other natural disaster, and yet bus riders often face the risks of increased heat exposure while waiting for transit. This concern arises from the fact that many bus stops in Los Angeles County lack shelters to protect people from the sun and other elements while they wait for transit. Shelters are often classified as an "amenity," but are better considered part of public transit infrastructure. Bus shelters not only protect riders from the elements and the health effects of extreme heat, but they also decrease perceived wait times and increase women's feelings of safety. While it's clear that there aren't enough bus shelters in Los Angeles, how existing shelters are distributed across neighborhoods, cities, and different temperature ranges is relatively unknown. In response to this lack of knowledge about where things currently stand, this project analyzes the presence of bus shelters at over 10,000 LA Metro bus stops across Los Angeles County. The results are then analyzed across different temperatures, priority population areas, cities, supervisorial districts, and state Assembly and Senate districts. The goal of this project is to create a baseline understanding about where shelters do and do not exist as a first step toward increasing the provision of bus shelters across Los Angeles County.

Status
Complete

Partner
Move LA

Research Team
Chase Engelhardt, Eli Lipmen