Studying Extreme Weather Event Impacts for Transit-Reliant Unhoused Populations

Details

• Creators:
  Rampini, Costanza ; Alexander, Serena ; Wootton, Jeff ; Gandhi, Amruta Ashish
• Corporate Creators:
  San Jose State University. College of Business. Mineta Transportation Institute
• Corporate Contributors:
  State of California SB1 2017/2018, Trustees of the California State University Sponsored Programs Administration ; United States. Department of Transportation. University Transportation Centers (UTC) Program ; United States. Department of Transportation. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  • Transportation equity
  • Accessibility
  • Disasters and emergency operations
  • Public transit
  • Geospatial data
  • Weather conditions
  • Underserved communities
  • Homeless persons
  • Public participation
  • Cluster analysis
  More +
• Publication/ Report Number:
  26-25 ; CA-MTI-2545
• DOI:
  https://doi.org/10.31979/mti.2026.2545
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States ; California
• Corporate Publisher:
  San Jose State University. College of Business. Mineta Transportation Institute
• Abstract:
  As climate change leads to more frequent and extreme weather events, people experiencing homelessness face increasing risks, including those related to mobility access. This study examines the challenges faced by unhoused individuals in Santa Clara County while accessing weather-respite services (e.g., cooling and warming centers) during extreme weather events. The research combines geospatial analysis with insights from 120 semi-structured interviews conducted with encampment residents, along with focus group discussions involving homeless service providers. Using cluster and outlier analysis (Anselin Local Moran's I), the geospatial study identifies statistically significant areas where accessibility challenges are concentrated, revealing areas where encampments have limited access to public transit or warming or cooling centers. The qualitative findings indicate that unhoused individuals rely heavily on public transit and active transportation modes, increasing their vulnerability during extreme weather events. Access to emergency services is further constrained by transportation challenges, limited service accessibility, operational barriers, communication gaps, and other behavioral factors. The study finds that current weather respite facilities do not consistently meet the needs of the unhoused population. To address these gaps, it recommends an approach that strengthens mobility systems, expands the use of local community resources such as faith-based organizations, and enhances communication through trusted community networks. Overall, improving climate resilience for unhoused populations requires a coordinated approach that integrates transportation planning, emergency management, homelessness services, and community-based outreach.
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  SB1-SJAUX_2023-26
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/93304/dot_93304_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 5.49 MB]
• Collection(s):
  University Transportation Centers
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:e245862b48b6c17bafeda9a3b6c59cf7ab7f2e9a5811b31daf7f40f63dde2d8de8cd5a985b5c9d92513084f339075aca4c87a53df209dbd846cfbb3eafc9aee9