A new report from Smart Growth America takes a look back in time to examine the damage and inequities
that were deliberately created by and in the federal transportation program from ~1950 onward, examines our current circumstances, and outlines concrete steps that can be taken to fundamentally unwind those inequities.

While many recommendations in the “Divided by Design” report pertain to state departments of transportation, age-and dementia friendly communities working on transportation issues may be interested in the recommendations geared towards the local level.

The report features historical case studies that illustrate how inequitable transportation systems were created along with data that displays the impact of those designs. Lastly, the report breaks down recommendations to the following categories:

• MEASURE WHAT MATTERS MOST
• REPAIR THE DAMAGE AND STOP REPEATING PAST MISTAKES
• PRIORITIZE THE SAFETY OF EVERYONE OVER THE SPEED OF A FEW
• ALWAYS CONSIDER LAND USE AND TRANSPORTATION TOGETHER

More information and the full report are available here.