In the third installment of our Ethics in Civil Engineering series, we discuss some of the ethical issues inherent in our transportation systems.
Transportation systems are woven into the fabric of our communities and their prosperity. We must always be considering the different levels at which our transportation systems serve different communities and how we can work towards reliable transportation for all.
However, many policies in the United States prevent transportation from serving all communities to the same standard. Perhaps the most prevalent example of such policies is America's inclination toward car-centric transportation infrastructure.
When people do not have access to reliable transportation, their access to jobs, healthcare, and many other opportunities are significantly hindered. Therefore, providing equitable transit systems will provide opportunity for upward mobility and help break barriers that maintain inequality. Knowing this, it is our responsibility as engineers to act.
Equitable systems provide proportional access to opportunities, which may mean an unequal distribution of resources. This is necessary to combat historic and systemic racism.
Equitable systems provide proportional access to opportunities, which may mean an unequal distribution of resources. This is necessary to combat historic and systemic racism.
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