Reliable Transportation as a Vital Condition
Reliable Transportation is about moving between home, work, school, stores—and more—in daily life. Transportation options influence access to jobs, social mobility, and our health. Active transportation—walking, biking, and transit use—helps us incorporate physical activity into our daily lives. Designing compact communities and sustainable transportation systems ensure people are able to get where they need to go no matter a person’s means, mode, or ability.
Access to transportation is a major driver of health and well-being. Transportation—whether walking, bicycling, wheeling, public transit, or driving—allows people to reach jobs, education opportunities, medical services, green outdoor space, community meetings, and family events; it acts as a connection to every other vital condition.
Current transportation policies and funding in the United States puts those who cannot drive at a disadvantage. There is a greater emphasis on roads, and more importantly, roads built solely for cars. In most communities, public transit is an afterthought, and safe walking and bicycling infrastructure can be a politically charged struggle to even get consideration.The Complete Streets movement hopes to improve roadway conditions by working with local, state, and federal governments to pass transportation policies and funding that would make all roads safe for all users.
Thriving Together: A Springboard for Equitable Recovery & Resilience in Communities Across America
This new report is a joint project of the CDC Foundation and Well Being Trust, coordinated with Community Initiatives and ReThink Health. The report acknowledges that we are now struggling and suffering through profound losses and ghastly experiences of systemic racism. Our resilience and humanity are being tested, yet we have the power to change course together. Communities across the country have an immense reservoir of energy, courage, and imagination. Our best hope for changing course is to organize local and national action around a single, unifying, measurable expectation: All people and places thriving—no exceptions. The report leverages the Vital Conditions for Well-Being framework to provide a "springboard" for communities in recovery and resilience that is imperative to this moment in time. Find the full report and the library of resources and tools coming out of collaborative work to develop Thriving Together below, and scroll on for more resources to improve reliable transportation in your community.
Thriving Together: A Springboard for Equitable Recovery and Resilience in Communities Across America
Resource - Report
Brought to you by Well Being Trust
Thriving Together: Reliable Transportation
Resource - Website/webpage
Brought to you by Well Being Trust
Bringing the Vital Conditions to Life: Reliable Transportation
Story
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Original
Brought to you by Community Commons
Thriving Together: A Springboard for Equitable Recovery and Resilience in Communities Across America
Library
Brought to you by Community Commons
Opportunities to Improve Reliable Transportation
Some of them most significant opportunities are:
- Building connected, accessible communities
- Investing in transportation systems that serve all modes
Stories for Inspiration
Explore the stories below to read interesting, engaging content about what is happening at the state, national, and local level to improve reliable transportation.
Pollution by Design: Reducing Pollution through Organization by Penny Newman
Story - Video
Brought to you by EPA
Lyft Will Give 1.5 Million Ride Credits to People in Black Communities That Are in 'Transit Deserts'
Story - Written
Brought to you by Inc.
Seattle to permanently close 20 miles of streets to traffic so residents can exercise and bike on them
Story - Written
Brought to you by CNN
Data Resources
Explore the data tools below to find data and related resources specifically relevant to reliable transportation.
Safe Routes Partnership 2020 State Report Cards
Tool - Data/mapping Tool
Brought to you by Safe Routes to School National Partnership
Transportation Alternatives Data Exchange (TrADE)
Tool
Brought to you by Rails to Trails Conservancy
Policy Resources
Explore the resources below that outline one or more policies that specifically seek to improve reliable transportation.
HI-5: Motorcycle Injury Prevention
Resource - Policy Brief
Brought to you by AD for Policy and Strategy
The Role of Business in Supporting Reliable Transportation
Resource - Policy Brief
Brought to you by WIN Network
Published on 02/25/2021
Safe Routes Partnership 2020 State Report Cards
Tool - Data/mapping Tool
Brought to you by Safe Routes to School National Partnership
Active Transportation for America
Resource - Assessment
Brought to you by Rails to Trails Conservancy
HI-5: Public Transportation System Introduction or Expansion
Resource - Policy Brief
Brought to you by AD for Policy and Strategy
Action & Dialogue Guides
Explore below to find replicable, actionable content that is easily adaptable and/or adoptable as a strategy to improve reliable transportation, as well as dialogue guides and tools for in-person and virtual dialogues.
Emergency Stabilization & Economic Recovery Recommendations
Resource - Guide/handbook
Brought to you by Smart Growth America
Bringing the Vital Conditions to Life: Reliable Transportation
Story
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Original
Brought to you by Community Commons
About the Vital Conditions
Reliable Transportation is one of seven “Vital Conditions” that comprise the Vital Conditions for Health and Well-being framework. This is a useful framework for conceptualizing holistic well-being and the Conditions that give rise to it, as well as identifying opportunities to shift those systems and drive transformative community change and improvement. It brings together major determinants of health, exposing how parts of a multi-faceted whole work as a system to produce equitable well-being. Learn more about the framework.
