As published in Socius: Sociological Research for a Dynamic World, experts at the University of Michigan have found that over a quarter of adults aged 25 and older in America experience transportation insecurity, with the inability to travel safely.
The research found that Black adults were among the highest number of those who reported experiencing transportation insecurity, followed by Hispanic adults and white adults.
The study also found that residents of urban areas are more likely to experience transportation insecurity than suburban and rural residents.
More than 180 adult participants were included as part of a survey conducted in the Midwest of the United States.
“Drawing on nationally representative survey data and a new, validated measure of transportation insecurity, the Transportation Security Index, the authors provide the first descriptive portrait of transportation insecurity in the United States, offering national estimates, examining which demographic groups are most likely to experience this condition and considering what factors are correlated with it,” according to the study’s authors.
“The authors find that one in four adults experience transportation insecurity. Adults who live in poverty, do not own cars, live in urban areas, are younger, have less education, and are non-White experience the greatest transportation insecurity.”
“Correlates analyses largely confirm these descriptive differences. Such high rates and large disparities suggest that greater investigation into this form of material hardship is warranted.”
