The Transcend Mobility Lab, led by Dr. Laura M. Keyes, AICP, seeks to identify, test, and advocate for innovative, non-traditional funding and policy solutions that enhance mobility access for older people and individuals with disabilities. Its research examines the intersection of public policy, municipal leadership, and transportation systems in fostering age-friendly communities and improving access to essential services. By transcending federal funding constraints and leveraging technology, partnerships, and community-driven approaches, the lab aims to create equitable and sustainable mobility systems. Key focus areas include:

• Exploring innovative, alternative funding mechanisms like public-private partnerships and social impact bonds to diversify funding sources, emphasizing equity and sustainability in pilot programs.
• Using technology and data to analyze the role of tools like one-call one-click platforms and shared mobility solutions while addressing barriers to adoption in underserved communities.
• Developing new strategies and policies to reduce inefficiencies, foster regional collaboration, and streamline resource use across transportation systems.
• Aligning mobility services with community needs through participatory research, addressing intersections with food access, health care, and social inclusion.

Key Publications, Presentations, and Reports

• Keyes, L. M., Kim, J., Balachandran, S., Kuttler, S., & Andrew, S. (2025). Missing Meals and Missed Rides: Transportation Barriers to Food Access for Vulnerable Populations. Urban Science, 9(6), 198.
• Pope, N. E., Greenfield, E. A., Keyes, L., & Russell, E. (2024). A Review of Public Sector Engagement in Age-Friendly Community Initiatives. Journal of Aging & Social Policy, 1-29. Online first.
• Keyes, L., Collins, B., Tao, J., & Tiwari, C. (2022). Aligning policy, place and public value: planning age friendly cities in municipal organizations. Journal of Aging & Social Policy, 34(2), 237-253.
• Keyes, L., Li, Q., Collins, B., & Rivera-Torres, S. (2020). Senior Center Service Utilization: Do Social Ties Affect Participation Patterns? Journal of Applied Gerontology. Online first.
• Keyes, Laura, & Benavides, A. D. (2019). Responsive Management: Municipal Leadership for an Aging Population. Journal of Public Management & Social Policy, 26(2), 119-136.

Publications in Progress

• Keyes, L., Kim, J., Balachandran, S., Ford, S. (nd) Missing Meals: How Transportation Impacts Food Access for the Transportation Disadvantaged (In preparation for submission).
• Kuttler, S., Keyes, L., Balachandran, S., Kim, J., Sengupta, A. (nd) Don't Put Your What-Ifs on Me: Institutional Inefficiencies in Community-Based Transportation (In preparation for submission).

Grant-Funded Reports

• Balachandran, S., Keyes, L., Andrew, S., Ford, S., Kim, J. (2023). The Dynamics of One-Call One-Click Transportation Planning Systems: Insights from a 21 Case Study Analysis. Prepared for Ride Connect Texas and the San Antonio Area Foundation.
• Keyes, L., Balachandran, S., Andrew, S., Ford, S., Kim, J. (2024). Institutional and Infrastructure Capacity Assessment. Prepared for Ride Connect Texas and the San Antonio Area Foundation.
• Keyes, L., Balachandran, S., Andrew, S., Ford, S., Kim, J. (2024). Ridership and Focus Group Assessment. Prepared for Ride Connect Texas and the San Antonio Area Foundation.
• Keyes, L., Balachandran, S., Andrew, S., Ford, S., Kim, J. (2024). One-Call One-Click Readiness Assessments. Prepared for Ride Connect Texas and the San Antonio Area Foundation.
• Keyes, L., Collins, B., Kruger, S., Vicars-Nance, J. (2021) City of Allen Collaboration with community nonprofit organizations: Options, recommendations, and best practices. Prepared for the City of Allen, Texas.
• Keyes, L., Collins, B., Kruger, S., Vicars-Nance, J. (2021) City of Allen Social Service System Response to Covid-19.
• Keyes, L., Collins, B., Tiwari, C., (2019). San Antonio Senior Services Assessment Report, Prepared for: City of San Antonio, Human Services Department.

Research team members:

• Dr. Laura M. Keyes, AICP, University of North Texas
• Dr. Jintak Kim, University of North Texas
• Dr. Sowmya Balachandran, University of Massachusetts Boston
• Sara Kuttler, ABD, Doctoral Candidate, University of North Texas
• Aparajita Sengupta, Doctoral Student, University of North Texas

Grants and Funding

The Transcend Mobility Lab has secured funding from key municipal and organizational partners to advance research on equitable mobility and social services. Notable grants include:

• PI, City of San Antonio, Ride Connect of Texas, One Call One Click Transportation Planning System Grant, September 1, 2023, $164,000.
• Co-PI, City of Allen, Texas, Social Service System Response to Covid-19, April-June 2021, $28,000.
• Co-PI, City of San Antonio, Senior Center Assessment Survey and Data Visualization Tool, May 15 – September 30, 2019, $110,000.

Sustainability Plans  

To ensure the sustainability of the lab’s initiative, Dr. Keyes aims to secure funding from foundations, government grants, and local government and nonprofit contracts for applied research projects.