Data Projects

Exploring Transit Insecurity in America via Household Census Data

Github Link

Transit insecurity refers to the inability to travel safely and efficiently due to a lack of material, economic, or social resources, disproportionately impacting marginalized communities such as low-income households, people of color, and the elderly. It is commonly measured through indicators like transportation cost burden, transit availability, and commuting time to essential destinations. This project explores whether U.S. Census data, specifically the 2017 American Housing Survey, can be used to model and analyze transit insecurity.

This project aims to answer three core questions: (1) Can census data predict transportation cost load, and which factors influence it? (2) Can it predict non-financial aspects of transit insecurity? (3) Can clustering techniques identify demographic groups with varying levels of transit access and security? If successful, this approach could provide valuable, scalable insights for transportation policy design.

Evaluating Commodity-Driven Deforestation

Github Link

The DeDuCE dataset provides global estimates of deforestation and carbon emissions associated with agricultural and forestry commodities from 2001 to 2022, helping to assess deforestation risks and inform mitigation strategies. Motivated by climate-related disasters like the wildfires in LA, this project aims to understand how everyday consumption choices contribute to deforestation through global supply chains. By analyzing over 200,000 records detailing country, commodity, deforestation impact, and emissions, we aim to create accessible insights for consumers, companies, and policymakers alike. Our analysis focuses on identifying high-risk commodities, regional trends, and time-based shifts in deforestation, ultimately empowering more sustainable choices and targeted conservation efforts.