Robert Pfaff PhD

Office Hours

Tuesday/Thursday 11am-1pm

Bio

Research Interests

My research explores the core premise that transportation planning is a social, political, and economic force that can either divide or connect people across cities and regions. This research is based on case studies of metropolitan areas across the rustbelt, and rooted in literatures around transportation accessibility, poverty alleviation, social determinants of health, sustainability, and transit equity. Topics covered in my research include multi-modal transportation (public, private, active, micro), safety analyses, policing, gentrification, and barriers to transit access. My work uses qualitative methodologies including policy analysis, textual interpretation, surveys, and participatory action research to understand how transportation planning, policy, funding, and decision making impact community accessibility at the local, regional, and state level.

Current Projects

Transportation Planning and Policy

Community Development Methods

Economic Development