Abstract

Studies have shown a strong association between the quality of social interactions and socioeconomic outcomes, including upward economic mobility, resilience, and neighborhood safety. However, increasing socioeconomic segregation, exacerbated by a rise in online activities and the long-term effects of COVID-19, poses a significant challenge. The development of policies to foster diverse social connections is crucial for promoting prosperity and resilience. To tackle this issue, this project includes two key components: firstly, measuring the spatio-temporal dynamics of social encounters in various public spaces in New York City using extensive human mobility data collected from mobile phones, and secondly, developing statistical models to identify urban environment factors that foster diverse social interactions in these public spaces.

The aim of the project is to better understand the potential ridership on the QueensLink, as well as what effect the project would have on existing lines, and what ridership would look like with the inclusion of proposed residential developments along the corridor.