Envisioning Transportation Options That Work for Everyone

Northwest Arkansas: Advancing Accessible Transportation

Introduction

Northwest Arkansas is a region on the move. But to keep moving forward, all people need the ability to move around freely. Whether it’s getting to work or school, medical appointments or the grocery store, reliable, safe and affordable transportation is essential for all of us to thrive.

The Challenge of Housing and Transportation

Housing and transportation are, on average, the two largest costs faced by every household in America. Here in Northwest Arkansas, like other growing regions, it’s a balance that many residents struggle to find. Pay higher housing costs and live in a walkable neighborhood? Or move farther away and drive your transportation costs up?

The Need for More Public Transportation Options

The data is clear, and we’re listening. Eighty percent of Northwest Arkansas residents want more and better-funded public transportation options. At the Walton Family Foundation, we’re committed to creating a more inclusive and vibrant Northwest Arkansas – one that includes the ability of all our neighbors to have an affordable place to live and to move freely within the region – and access everything it has to offer.

Challenges Faced by Residents

While we’ve made big gains in connecting communities via trails, the reality is that many people still face real challenges when it comes to getting around. Local resident Lisa McCool started cycling about four years ago. “The wind in my hair…It makes me feel like a kid again. I work a full-time job and I have little kids, so being able to work exercise into my regular routine is amazing,” she says. But one challenge Lisa faces is trying to piece together safe bike routes to get where she needs to go.

Transportation Solutions for All

For other neighbors, cycling isn’t always an option. Following a brain aneurysm, Christy Kelly developed fluctuating vision loss. She and her son moved closer to the city so that she could more easily commute to her job. But like many folks who move closer to opportunity, she found her housing costs increased. Now, her daily commute can change from day to day, depending on her vision. Christy occasionally uses Ozark Regional Transit’s on-demand bus system, which is helpful, but not reliable as she needs.

Collaboration and Solutions

In response to ridership and accessibility challenges, the foundation is working with Ozark Regional Transit to collect data and design public transportation that works for more people, when they need it. The testing of on-demand transit within the system was helpful in determining where exactly people are traveling via bus. We’ve also supported fare-free transit to help the system recover after the pandemic.

Community Initiatives

Canopy NWA, a local provider of refugee resettlement assistance, has recently launched a transportation pilot to find responsive solutions to the needs of this community. Other organizations, like All Bikes Welcome, are working to build more racial equity and gender diversity in cycling by providing free and low-cost outdoor programming across the region.

Creating a Coordinated Regional Approach

As part of our Strategy 2025, the foundation is also working with local municipal partners to create a coordinated regional approach to infrastructure that embraces and enables multiple forms of transportation – from safer streets for pedestrians and cyclists to reliable and affordable public transit like buses.

Listening to Local Officials

We’re listening to folks like Dane Eifling, mobility coordinator for the city of Fayetteville. Dane says simple changes, like ADA-accessible sidewalks, sheltered bus stops or adding more micromobility options like e-bikes and scooters are all choices that make a big difference in whether or not people can participate in the transportation system. We’re also listening to local elected officials on what they need to be successful.

Collaboration for a Great Region

In larger, more connected communities like Bentonville, Mayor Stephanie Orman says collaboration is key. “There is a high quality of life that people expect here in Bentonville.” To maintain and build on this success, “We’ve got to look at community partners. We’ve got to look at employers in the area that wanna make sure that they can move their employees to and from work. We try to get in the room and have a conversation about what infrastructure we can put in place that’s clean, that’s safe, and convenient for the public.”

Conclusion

When it comes to mobility, true inclusion depends on everyone’s ability to access all that this amazing region has to offer. We hope through continued collaboration, we can support the development of accessible and affordable mobility options that can serve not only our community, but serve as an example to other growing regions across the country.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs, Targets and Indicators

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all
• Indicator 11.2.1: Proportion of population that has convenient access to public transport, by sex, age and persons with disabilities

• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status
• Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by sex, age and persons with disabilities

Explanation:

The issues highlighted in the article are related to transportation challenges and the need for accessible and affordable mobility options in Northwest Arkansas. These issues align with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, which aims to provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all. The specific target under SDG 11 that can be identified based on the article’s content is Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all. The article mentions the need for more and better-funded public transportation options and the challenges faced by residents in accessing transportation. The indicator that can be used to measure progress towards this target is Indicator 11.2.1: Proportion of population that has convenient access to public transport, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities.

In addition, the article also highlights the issue of reduced inequalities in access to transportation. This aligns with SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, which aims to empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. The specific target under SDG 10 that can be identified based on the article’s content is Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status. The indicator that can be used to measure progress towards this target is Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities.

Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

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Fuente: waltonfamilyfoundation.org

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