UCLA Institute of Transportation Studies

This research assesses how the City of Oakland is meeting the basic transportation needs of its residents, defined by their ability to safely and comfortably use critical infrastructure such as sidewalks, roads, street lighting, street trees, and curb ramps. The study investigates the relationship between neighborhood demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and the quality and availability of transportation assets, aiming to determine if these resources are distributed equitably.The analysis utilized geospatial datasets on pavement condition, curb ramp ADA compliance, sidewalk integrity, and street tree conditions. These factors were mapped and compared against OakDOT’s Priority Neighborhoods dataset, which assigns each of the City’s 116 census tracts an equity priority designation. Findings reveal inequities in infrastructure quality. Issues like deteriorating pavement, non-ADA-compliant curb ramps, and severe sidewalk damage are disproportionately distributed, with many lower equity priority neighborhoods unexpectedly displaying higher maintenance needs. However, closer examination showed that these issues in lower equity priority areas, particularly in the hilly neighborhoods northeast of the I-580 freeway, are significantly influenced by environmental factors such as steep and uneven slopes. Higher equity priority neighborhoods face compounded disadvantages, including higher pollution exposure, increased ambulatory disability rates, and limited street tree coverage. These overlapping vulnerabilities highlight the need for continued targeted investment in high equity priority neighborhoods. The study recommends expanding asset data collection, developing tailored performance metrics, integrating these metrics into prioritization frameworks, and collaborating closely with community organizations. These measures aim to foster transparency and equity in Oakland’s transportation infrastructure planning and investments.