What does this score mean?

A score of 100 represents racial equity, meaning there are no racial disparities in the outcomes between black and white populations. The lower the Equity Score, the greater the disparity.

For Commuting Time, a score of 100 – a score reflecting racial equity – would mean black and white workers have the same mean commute time. It is important to note that for this indicator, equity is not our only goal; we also want to improve outcomes for all.

WHAT DOES THIS ANALYSIS MEAN?

The mean commute time for black workers is about 17% longer than for white workers (black workers experience a mean commute time of 23 minutes, while white workers’ mean commute time is 19.7 minutes). Commutes in St. Louis County are overall about half the length of the three other counties; the City of St. Louis has the longest average commute time.

The differences in commuting time between black and white residents vary in the four-county region. In St. Louis County, black residents’ commutes are about 28% longer, and in the City of St. Louis, they are about 22% longer. In St. Charles County, black residents’ commutes are on average 16% longer than white residents’ commutes, and commutes are about 7% longer for black residents in St. Clair County.

If commuting time were more equitable, the number of minutes that black residents spend commuting would decrease by:

• 7 minutes in the City of St. Louis,
• 8 minutes in St. Charles County,
• 6 minutes in St. Clair County, and
• 2 minutes in St. Louis County.

Why Does Commuting Time Matter?

Commuting Time is an important measure of quality of life for workers and reflects both accessibilities of transit options and to jobs. City residents are dependent on regional transportation systems. 43.3% of City of St. Louis residents work outside of the City of St. Louis. Researchers from Harvard found that “commuting time has emerged as the single strongest factor in the odds of escaping poverty. The longer an average commute in a given county, the worse the chances of low-income families there moving up the ladder.” (Chetty & Hendren, 2015). According to the Transportation Equity Caucus, “For many Americans, mobility can make all the difference in their ability to meet basic needs, participate fully in community life, and connect and contribute to our national economy.”

St. Louis is praised for its low commute times relative to other cities; however, those benefits are often limited to those with cars. Only a quarter of workers who use public transit report having commutes under 30 minutes.

Which Calls to Action from the Ferguson Commission’s report are linked with this indicator?

Transportation is a signature priority of the Ferguson Commission to address economic inequality. The Ferguson Commission’s calls to action related to improving commuting times include:

• Identify Priority Transportation Projects for the St. Louis Region
• Develop a State Supported Funding Plan for Public Transit
• Prioritize Transit-Oriented Development

Questions for Further Investigation:

• Why is there a racial disparity in Commuting Time?
• What can St. Louis do to reduce racial disparities in Commuting Time?
• What initiatives are currently underway to reduce racial disparities in Commuting Time?

Commuting Time Data