Historical Research and Existing Data ESP 178 S. Handy 2/27/07

Cross-SectionalLongitudinal Single CaseHistorical events research Historical process research Multiple Cases Cross-sectional comparative research Comparative historical research

Examples Qualitative historical research: –TxDOT Highway Bypasses Study Quantitative comparative research: –Portland State bicycle study –Sprawl and obesity study

The Economic Impacts of Highway Relief Routes on Small Towns in Texas project for the Texas Department of Transportation

Figure Map of Fort Stockton Highways

Research Questions What happened to businesses... –In downtown? –On old route? –On new route? What factors explain those changes? –Relief route? –Others?

Figure 2-1. Location of Case Study Communities

Socio-demographic, geographic and economic data Site visit: –Interviews  –Observations –Photographs Follow-up interviews Data Collection Business owners City officials Community leaders TxDOT officials

Figure 3-9. Population of FORT STOCKTON AND PECOS COUNTY,

Quantitative Comparative Research

Source: Dill and Carr 2003

Data Sources

National Surveys US Census: American Time Use Survey, BLS: General Social Survey:

Source: data from Canadian version of ATUShttp://

Uses of Census and Other Data As a source of descriptive statistics at the start of a research project. As a way of identifying appropriate communities to use as a part of a sampling plan. As a basis for assessing how well your sample matches the target population.

Figure 1. Vehicle Miles Traveled per Person in US,

Figure 2. Capital Outlays for Highways in US,

From UCTC proposal

policypete.com/background(11).htm

From ALR cul-de-sacs proposal

From Caltrans study

Environmental Justice Analysis

“Environmental Justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Fair treatment means that no group of people, including a racial, ethnic, or a socioeconomic group, should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, municipal, and commercial operations or the execution of federal, state, local, and tribal programs and policies. Meaningful involvement means that: (1) potentially affected community residents have an appropriate opportunity to participate in decisions about a proposed activity that will affect their environment and/or health; (2) the public's contribution can influence the regulatory agency's decision; (3) the concerns of all participants involved will be considered in the decision making process; and (4) the decision makers seek out and facilitate the involvement of those potentially affected.” Source:

“The SCAG RTP used Census data to profile mode choice by income category, clarifying who most benefitted from farebox subsidies for bus, urban rail, and Metrolink, a commuter rail operation.” Source:

Issues Responsible use of secondary data: –Ask questions Methodological complications: –Challenge of putting good data sets together –Method of agreement for identifying causes Ethical issues: –FOIA –Cross-cultural issues

Meet in 1137 PES again on Thursday!