Impacts of light rail transit development on neighborhood health: A scoping review through a social determinants of health lens

Abstract

IntroductionLight rail transit (LRT) has become a popular intervention for addressing the social and economic complexities associated with urban growth. LRT development can exert influence on neighborhood characteristics, such as property values, employment opportunities, and service access. Many of these changes can impact the health of nearby residents by influencing their exposure to the social determinants of health (SDOH). This study maps the literature on LRT development through an SDOH lens and comments on gaps and implications for neighborhood health and transit planning. MethodsThe Arksey and O'Malley scoping review methodology was used to examine existing literature on neighborhood-level impacts of LRT development related to the SDOH. Peer-reviewed articles were included if they focused on an LRT project in an urban center in Canada or the United States, reported on a neighborhood-level impact related to the SDOH, and were published in English between 2004 and 2019. Standardized information was extracted from each included article and thematic analysis was applied to generate impact themes. ResultsA search of three databases yielded 767 non-duplicate records and 29 studies were included in the review. Six impact themes were identified: property values, neighborhood demography, economy, development, transit, and neighborhood perceptions. LRT development was associated with residential property value increases, high-density residential development, new business openings, and increases in neighborhood household income. Articles had limited recognition of the role of LRT development in creating health disparities. ConclusionsThis review demonstrates that transit development can influence the living conditions and resource availability of surrounding areas. Since many of the impacts identified in this study can further social stratification or have differential effects by socioeconomic status, LRT development can be conceptualized as a driver of health inequities. In order to design more effective and equitable transit policy, future research should position transit development as an SDOH.