Equity Policies in Our Region

Justice40 Initiative FAQs

The Justice40 initiative was established in 2021, under Executive Order 14008: Tackling Climate Change at Home and Abroad, providing guidance on how federal investments can reach and benefit disadvantaged communities. Justice40 establishes the goal that at least 40% of benefits from certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities facing burdens to climate change, environment, health, and economic opportunity.

What is Justice40 at USDOT?

Justice40 is an opportunity to address gaps in transportation infrastructure and public services by working toward the goal that at least 40% of the benefits from many of our grants, programs, and initiatives flow to disadvantaged communities. Through Justice40, USDOT will work to increase affordable transportation options, that connect Americans to good-paying jobs, fight climate change, and improve access to resources and quality of life in communities in every state and territory in the country. The initiative allows USDOT to identify and prioritize projects that benefit rural, suburban, tribal, and urban communities facing barriers to affordable, equitable, reliable, and safe transportation.

How Does Justice40 Apply to the Region?

The Justice40 initiative establishes a priority for the DVRPC region to direct federal investments and associated benefits toward communities most impacted by climate change, pollution, and environmental hazards. Using regional and federal mapping tools, disadvantaged communities can be identified and prioritized during project selection, promoting an equitable distribution of benefits across the region.

How Does Justice40 Apply Locally?

Local and county governments can leverage federal and regional mapping tools/data to identify disadvantaged communities, assess potential benefits and burdens, and apply for Justice40 grant programs. This data-driven process directs federal dollars toward transportation projects and infrastructure improvements in communities facing underinvestment and disproportionate impacts from social, economic, and environmental factors.

What is a Benefit?

Benefits include direct and indirect investments (and program outcomes) that positively impact disadvantaged communities. USDOT has 5 benefit categories: Access, Safety, Resilience, Economic Competitiveness, and Emissions Reduction. Visit Three Major Components of DOT's Justice40 Initiative to learn more about the five benefit categories.

Defining Equity Terms in Executive Orders

The Federal government has released several executive orders to address systemic racism and advance equity for all; especially for those who have been underserved, discriminated against, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality. The following definitions seek to clarify terms in Federal executive orders and associated initiatives.

Equity

The consistent and systematic treatment of all individuals in a fair, just, and impartial manner, including individuals who belong to communities that often have been denied such treatment, such as Black, Latino, Indigenous and Native American, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander persons and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; women and girls; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; persons who live in United States Territories; persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality; and individuals who belong to multiple such communities. [Executive Order 14091: Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through The Federal Government]

Underserved Communities

Refers to those populations [included in the definition of “equity”] as well as geographic communities that have been systematically denied the opportunity to participate fully in aspects of economic, social, and civic life, as defined in E.O. 13985. [Executive Order 14091: Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through The Federal Government]

Transportation Insecurity

When people are unable to get where they need to go to meet the needs of their daily life regularly, reliably, affordably, and safely. [Justice40 at USDOT]

Disadvantaged Community

Refers to a community that experiences disproportionately high and adverse health, environmental, climate related, economic, and other cumulative impacts. [Executive Order 14008: Tackling Climate Change at Home and Abroad]

Overburdened Community

Refers to minority, low-income, tribal, or Indigenous populations or geographic locations in the United States that potentially experience disproportionate environmental and/or safety harms and risks. This disproportionality can be a result of greater vulnerability to environmental hazards, heightened safety risks, lack of opportunity for public participation, or other factors. [EPA Environmental Justice Glossary]

Meaningful Public Engagement

Refers to a process that proactively seeks full representation from the community, considers public comments and feedback, and incorporates that feedback into a project, program, or plan. [Public Involvement at USDOT].

Air Quality Partnership
Annual Report
Connections 2050
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)
Economic Development District