The location and operation of highways and other transportation facilities in economically disadvantaged minority communities have generally resulted in social , economic , and environmental consequences that have not been scientifically measured and reported in the existing body of research literature . The major areas of impact are thought to include land use , population and residential densities , the growth and development of minority business enterprises , housing quality and type , the general quality of living space , traffic patterns , street types and conditions , and various social activity patterns .
An inventory of demographic , economic , and physical characteristics of a predominantly black community in Scotlandville , Louisiana was prepared as part of an earlier study of pre - highway conditions . Using the inventory as a baseline , this study documents the changes resulting from the construction of a major highway bypass in the community . The findings of the Scotlandville research are compared to other studies of highway impacts in majority communities and larger urban areas to determine the degree to which low - income or minority communities may experience unique impacts .