Assessing Urban Transportation Equity: A Chicago City Case Study on ridesharing and Public Transit

Abstract: As ride-sharing systems like Uber and Lyft continue to expand, they present a valuable opportunity to improve public transit access and advance transportation equity by filling in the gaps left by traditional transit coverage. By reaching underserved and lower-income areas, ride-sharing could help bridge transportation disparities, providing broader access to essential services. In this context, equity refers to fair transportation access across socioeconomic groups and geographic areas. Despite these advantages, ride-sharing services currently cluster in high-demand zones, leaving lower-demand and remote neighborhoods with limited access. This study explores how ride-sharing can enhance transit accessibility and equity across Chicago, using a comprehensive dataset that includes information on service availability, demographics, and transportation infrastructure, gathered from sources like the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), and private ride-sharing companies. These data sources provide insight into trip origins and destinations, vehicle availability, income levels, and geographic distribution.
Our approach addresses both horizontal and vertical equity dimensions to gain a holistic view of ride-sharing’s role in transit equity.
For horizontal equity, we employ Lorenz curve analysis and Gini coefficients to examine the spatial distribution of ride-sharing and public transit services, identifying underserved areas that could benefit from increased ride-sharing integration.
This analysis reveals notable disparities in ride-sharing availability across various demographic groups, emphasizing the need for targeted improvements.
To further evaluate the potential of ride-sharing to bolster public transit access, we use a Mixed Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR) model to analyze how ride-sharing impacts transit accessibility across Chicago’s census tracts, employing the coefficient of variation (CV) of local population and employment indicators as a core metric for equity assessment. The findings underscore ride-sharing’s potential to mitigate racial and socioeconomic disparities in transit access, particularly aiding Hispanic and low-income communities where transit options are limited.
Furthermore, ride-sharing shows promise in enhancing accessibility for female and elderly riders, thus contributing to a more inclusive transportation system.
By approaching the issue through both horizontal and vertical equity lenses, this study demonstrates the potential for ride-sharing to complement public transit and foster fairer transportation access throughout Chicago.