Equity Considerations for Emerging Technologies in Transportation: A Comparative Study of Planning Practices in the United States and South Korea

Emerging technologies, such as mobility as a service, autonomous vehicles, and artificial intelligence, are transforming the transportation planning paradigm. However, there is a significant gap in understanding how transportation planning agencies are considering the impact of these technologies on vulnerable communities. This study addresses this gap by investigating the different approaches agencies are using to assess the equity implications of emerging technologies. A comparative analysis was performed on the US and South Korea, where smart transportation systems are extensively piloted and implemented. In total, 36 planning documents, 20 from the US and 16 from South Korea, were analyzed to measure the extent to which social equity, emerging technologies, and their equity implications are reflected in long-term planning documents. Our findings reveal that over half the agencies in both countries include equity in their vision and goals, US Metropolitan Planning Organizations tend to focus on impact considerations, whereas South Korean agencies monitor technology trends. Only four of the 36 agencies examined considered the equity implications of technology through alternative scenario planning, modeling, research studies, and pricing considerations. These results highlight the need for further efforts to protect vulnerable populations from potential impacts. This study contributes to the existing literature by providing a contextual understanding of equity considerations in the deployment of emerging technologies and offers practical insights for policymakers and industry practitioners. It may provide a catalyst for integrating equity into the planning and implementation of smart transportation systems, ensuring that these technologies benefit all members of society.