Equity-centered Transportation Project Prioritization Process City of Peoria, Illinois

Abstract

To further this effort in my capstone, I started by studying transportation project prioritization processes developed by five different U.S. cities using a case study approach. I interviewed planners and engineers from two of those cities – Oakland, CA and Madison, WI. The case studies were followed by a background study of Peoria, and a comparative equity analysis of Peoria county’s Long Range Transportation Plan and Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s Play Area 2040 Plan. Then, I conducted stakeholder interviews to document their understanding, positionality, and inclination with respect to an equity-centered CIP prioritization process, along with identifying barriers and opportunities to such a tool. I use the findings from these studies to make a comprehensive list of recommendations to address a wide range of barriers identified, leverage opportunities found, and help advance equity in the city.