Racial Equity Framework for Transportation

Overview

The Racial Equity Framework for Transportation (REF) is a document that identifies:

racial equity goals
strategies
and actions

to implement through 2030. The strategies and actions in the REF were informed by community input.

The REF is incorporated into all transportation projects and programs in the city. This work is a part of building an active, anti-racist culture in the City of Minneapolis.

Read the Racial Equity Framework for Transportation

Two bicyclists riding in front of a mural

Elements of the REF

Key components

A definition of and commitment to transportation equity.
24 strategies and 64 actions across 4 main goals.
An overview of current inequities, including an acknowledgment of past harms.
Data that show ongoing inequities related to race and transportation in Minneapolis.
10 metrics to track and report on over time on progress made.
Transportation Equity Priority (TEP) areas.

Key Definitions

The City of Minneapolis City Council adopted definitions of equity and racial equity. These definitions inform the work that we do.

Equity

We work towards fair and just opportunities and outcomes for all people.

Racial equity

We help develop policies, practices and strategic investments to:

Reverse racial disparity trends.
Eliminate institutional racism.
Ensure that outcomes and opportunities for all people are no longer based on race.

Read the City ordinance

Transportation Equity Explorer

The Transportation Equity Explorer goes into more depth about the elements of the REF. It is a tool to explore current equity data related to transportation in Minneapolis. The webpage will allow users to:

Learn about transportation equity
Explore past and present inequities
Discover how we score equity
Dig into equity data
Access additional resources

See the Transportation Equity Explorer

Plans

The following plans are foundational to our work.

Racism as a public health emergency

In July 2020, the Minneapolis City Council declared racism a public health emergency. The resolution explains ways to reverse a long history of racist policies and practices in the city.

Read the resolution

Community input

We worked with the Cultural Wellness Center on engagement for the Racial Equity Framework. A Community Equity Workgroup helped with the development of the REF.

Learn about the Cultural Wellness Center