Understanding the multiple dimensions of transportation disadvantage: the case of rural North Carolina

• Quantitative and spatial data yielded preliminary maps of transportation disadvantage.
• Qualitative field data revealed expert knowledge and non-expert resident experiences.
• Rural residents experience travel barriers in locally specific ways.
• Transportation-disadvantaged people seek informal and creative solutions.

Transportation disadvantage, which may be described in simple terms as a mismatch between the need for mobility and accessibility and the travel options available, often is assumed to correlate with certain socio-demographic characteristics, such as age (young and old), physical mobility, income, English proficiency, and vehicle access. This paper reports on a study that combined quantitative Census data with qualitative field data collected in interviews and focus groups, to better understand which individuals may in fact be transportation-disadvantaged, and which personal and household factors or environmental conditions correlate with concentrations of transportation-disadvantaged populations. In five rural counties of North Carolina, maps showing areas of elevated risk of transportation disadvantage were used in key informant interviews with planners and other transportation-relevant professionals, as well as in focus groups that probed the travel experiences and patterns of residents. Content analysis of interview and focus group data yielded insights into who is transportation-disadvantaged; what personal, household and environmental factors are notable; and what strategies they use to manage their travel needs. Qualitative data revealed populations not identified by Census data, and yielded rich and nuanced insights into how rural residents perceive their travel needs and habits and how they respond to limits on their mobility and access to routine destinations.