Baltimore Region Travel-Related Disability Study
Nationwide, six million people with disabilities have difficulties obtaining the transportation they need.1 But, how many people in the Baltimore region have a disability that affects their ability to get around? Where do individuals with travel related disabilities live in the Baltimore region? Do they have local access to paratransit, public transit, or other alternatives to driving?
These are some of the issues that BMC recently researched in an effort to assist transportation policy makers, human service providers, and the general public in understanding the travel needs of the region’s dispersed disabled population. This information can then be used to identify areas where additional transportation services for the disabled are needed.
Using U.S. Census data, BMC staff were able to map the locations of individuals with self-reported travel-related disabilities (TRD). In addition, staff looked at the locations of these populations in relation to current ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) paratransit service. Under the ADA, only qualified travel-impaired individuals that live within ¾ mile of regularly scheduled, fixed transit routes are eligible to use ADA paratransit service. Travel options to those that live outside of these areas are currently limited.
What do the results of the study show?
The study documented that the region’s TRD population is distributed in a highly dispersed and fragmented residential pattern (see map).
Specifically, the study found:
- Baltimore City has the highest TRD population of any jurisdiction in the region at 43%.
- Thirty-seven percent of the TRD population that live in the suburbs do not have access to ADA paratransit service.
- Region-wide, 21% of the TRD population lives outside existing ADA service areas.
Similar to the findings of the regional 2004 Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities study, this study concluded that the initial challenge is to develop ways to provide more service to people with disabilities who live in areas not served by ADA paratransit services.
The longer term challenge is to provide more travel options for the rapidly growing disabled population that is expected to increasingly live in dispersed, lower intensity areas in the suburbs.
For more information:
Regina Aris, raris@baltometro.org or 410-732-0500 x1046.
Sources:
1 U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics
Links within this web site:
Emergency Preparedness for Persons with Disabilities
Citizens Advisory Committee
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Last Updated on Friday, 08 April 2011 11:20