Transportation Equity Program

Updated: May 12, 2022 

Background 

In 2004, the City of Seattle established the Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI) to eliminate racial disparities and advance social justice through equitable policies, programs, and planning practices. The City's commitment to RSJI has led to the creation of several equity initiatives and programs over the years, including the Seattle Department of Transportation's (SDOT) Transportation Equity Program, established in 2017.  

On November 28, 2017, Mayor Durkan issued an Executive Order affirming her commitment to RSJI, including transportation equity. On January 2, 2018, City Council unanimously adopted Resolution 31773, providing their support for transportation equity and directing SDOT to bring together a committee consisting of community members most impacted by transportation inequities which led to the creation of SDOT's Transportation Equity Workgroup.  SDOT's vision is that Seattle is a thriving, equitable community powered by dependable transportation, and the department's mission to deliver a transportation system that provides safe and affordable access to places and opportunities. SDOT recognizes equity as a key value and believes transportation must meet the needs of communities of color and those of all incomes, abilities, and ages. Our goal is to partner with communities to build a racially equitable and socially just transportation system.  

What we do 

SDOT's Transportation Equity Program provides department-wide policy and strategic advisement on equitable, safe, environmentally sustainable, accessible, and affordable transportation systems that support Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, low-income populations, people living with disabilities, and other communities historically and currently underinvested in by government. The program's principles center on building community trust through engagement and accountability, eliminating racial disparities, and mitigating the effects of displacement from transportation inequities.

Current activities of the Transportation Equity Program includes engaging with members of the Transportation Equity Workgroup (TEW) in co-developing a Transportation Equity Framework (TEF) for the department. Part One of the TEF (Values and Strategies) and the interactive implementation plan dashboard are now available.

Contact

For more information about the Transportation Equity Program, please email: transportationequity@seattle.gov or call (206) 684-5142.