Case Study with Broader Implications

Uneven Returns: The Varied Impact of Public Transportation Investments on Urban Foodservice Businesses

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Abstract

These case studies explore the relationship between public transportation infrastructure investments and urban foot traffic to foodservice establishments. Specifically, they evaluate how changes in urban mobility influence the accessibility of place-based food businesses in different city contexts. Using foot traffic data from SafeGraph (2018–2020), the study examines the effects of two federally funded Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) projects on visitation patterns to nearby restaurants, cafes, and bars. Public transportation investments yield mixed results for nearby foodservice establishments. Milwaukee’s full-service restaurants experienced increased foot traffic post-inauguration, while Richmond showed no significant change. Limited-service restaurants near the new transit systems often saw decreases in foot traffic. This study introduces a novel application of high-frequency mobility data to assess urban foodscape changes following infrastructure investments. The intent of this article is to support policymaker decisions regarding infrastructure investment. It challenges assumptions about uniformly positive spillover effects from transit projects and emphasizes the need for place-specific planning and evaluation frameworks in urban revitalization strategies. Findings are relevant to urban planners, economic developers, and business owners navigating evolving patterns of consumer accessibility.

Keywords: Public transportation investments, Urban foodservice businesses, Foot traffic patterns, Economic development policy

How to Cite:

Quintero, J., Malone, T., Byrne, A. & Carpenter, C. W., (2026) “Uneven Returns: The Varied Impact of Public Transportation Investments on Urban Foodservice Businesses”, Reaching Regions 2(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/rreg.21188