We will engage low-income communities and communities of color to better understand community needs and concerns. We are working with local and national equity leaders to create a framework for development of the tolling projects that result in benefits for communities that have traditionally been disproportionately negatively impacted by transportation decisions. An Equity and Mobility Advisory Committee (EMAC) will start work in 2020 to help identify strategies to improve outcomes and access to travel choices for all demographics.
We will explore equitable strategies used in other parts of the country, including reduced or free transponders, cash payment options for un-banked individuals, rebates or discounts for different income levels, and integrating benefits between travel modes, such as transit passes that accumulate toll credits. Community engagement and the EMAC will provide critical input to these strategies.