SBU Faculty Project Expands North Shore Beach Access

West Meadow Beach, where people can request round-trip service directly from their homes, thanks to a service started by College of Engineering and Applied Sciences associate professors Elizabeth Hewitt and Anil Yazici. Photos by Beth Squire.

Long Island's beaches offer relief and relaxation for many during the hot summer months, but for some residents, access remains out of reach due to transportation challenges and financial constraints.

To address this disparity, Elizabeth Hewitt, associate professor in the Department of Technology and Society, and Anil Yazici, associate professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, are spearheading an initiative aimed at providing equitable beach access to underserved communities on Long Island's North Shore.

Funded by a $470,000 grant from New York Sea Grant and the Environmental Protection Agency's Long Island Sound Study, the project targets areas where traditional public transportation falls short. Unlike the well-served South Shore, the North Shore's beach accessibility is limited, making this area the focal point of their study.

Samuel Osei Poku, graduate student in the Department of Civil Engineering, in front of the beach access shuttle. He is working on the shuttle this summer to accompany those using the shuttle service.

Under the project, "Equitable Access to Long Island Sound Waterfront and Beaches through On-Demand Mobility," Hewitt and Yazici are developing a shuttle system designed to connect disadvantaged populations with West Meadow Beach. Using leased vehicles and a ride-share model, the program allows users to request round-trip service directly from their homes to the beach.

"The idea stemmed from recognizing that many disadvantaged communities are geographically distant from these beaches," explained Hewitt, highlighting the initiative's intent to bridge this gap. By eliminating barriers such as transportation logistics and parking fees, the shuttle service aims to expand access to natural resources that are often taken for granted.

Yazici, drawing on his experience with urban transit challenges in Istanbul, emphasized the unique difficulties posed by Long Island's suburban landscape. "Urban density plays a crucial role in transit feasibility," he noted, underlining the need for innovative solutions tailored to Long Island's specific geography.

"Having access to natural resources has been shown to improve health and quality of life, yet especially disadvantaged populations face transportation related barriers to utilize the natural resources. Our project addresses both transportation and environmental equity concerns by providing a transportation service for people who do not own a car or means to access Long Island Sound beaches," said Yazici.

Central to their approach is community engagement through local libraries, which aid in disseminating information and gathering feedback. Participants are encouraged to complete surveys measuring their beach-going experiences and preferences, informing future shuttle schedules and service fees.

The free shuttles are available to residents from Hauppauge to Riverhead, and can be requested by downloading the flexigo app(available in both English and Spanish). As part of the project, rideshare participants will be asked to complete a survey to identify changes in attitudes toward the Long Island Sound environment.

Hewitt and Yazici hope to enhance beach access and also to foster a deeper appreciation for Long Island's coastal environments among all Long Island residents. Their efforts represent a significant stride towards making Long Island's natural beauty accessible to everyone who calls Long Island home.

- Beth Squire

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