Commuters in Massachusetts communities with worse roads use more gas, with the costs disproportionately impacting low-income households.
New research from the University of Massachusetts Amherst reveals that ‘environmental justice communities,’ defined by the state of Massachusetts as areas with low incomes and high percentages of minority groups, have poorer road quality, causing residents to use more fuel for their vehicles.
According to the study’s lead author Egemen Okte, “You need roads to go from point A to point B, and depending on what kind of road you live around, it will change your fuel consumption.”
“As for how this impacted fuel use, nearly all Massachusetts drivers use more than 3% excess fuel (compared to driving on perfect road conditions), and most drivers use 5 to 7% excess fuel, regardless of community status.” In EJ communities, 16 percent of commuters fell in the highest tier of excess gas use, “twice the rate of non-EJ commuters.”
FULL STORY: Disadvantaged Communities in Massachusetts Twice as Likely to Have Poor Roads—and Pay the Cost in Gas
Students Drive Solutions for Environmental Justice Through Video Challenge
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USDOT Launches Climate Adaptation Plan
The plan outlines the department’s key priorities in building resilient infrastructure and ensuring environmental justice in historically disinvested communities.
Future of Justice40 Initiative Hinges on Election
The program requires that 40 percent of some federal funds be used to benefit historically disadvantaged communities.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
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Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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Planetizen
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Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service