How can you use data analysis to identify transportation equity issues in rural areas?

1 Define your equity goals and indicators

Before you start analyzing data, you need to define what transportation equity means for your rural context, and what indicators you will use to measure it. For example, you may want to achieve equal or adequate levels of accessibility, affordability, reliability, safety, and environmental quality for different groups of rural residents, such as low-income, elderly, disabled, or minority populations. You may also want to consider the trade-offs and synergies among these goals and indicators, and how they align with your broader planning objectives and values.

3 Analyze your data using appropriate tools and methods

Once you have your data sources, you need to analyze them using appropriate tools and methods that will help you answer your equity questions and hypotheses. For example, you may use descriptive statistics, spatial analysis, network analysis, accessibility analysis, cost-benefit analysis, or equity impact assessment to analyze your data. You may also use data visualization, mapping, or dashboard tools to present and communicate your data analysis results in a clear and compelling way.

4 Compare your data analysis results with your equity goals and indicators

After you have analyzed your data, you need to compare your data analysis results with your equity goals and indicators, and identify the gaps, disparities, or opportunities for improvement. For example, you may find that some groups of rural residents have lower or higher levels of accessibility, affordability, reliability, safety, or environmental quality than others, or than the average or desired levels. You may also find that some transportation modes or services are more or less equitable than others, or than the optimal or feasible levels.

5 Generate and evaluate alternative solutions based on your data analysis results

Based on your data analysis results and comparisons, you need to generate and evaluate alternative solutions that will help you address the transportation equity issues in your rural areas. For example, you may propose to improve the existing transportation modes or services, or introduce new ones, that will enhance the accessibility, affordability, reliability, safety, or environmental quality for your rural residents, especially for the disadvantaged or underserved groups. You may also propose to implement policies, programs, or incentives that will support or encourage the adoption of these solutions.

6 Monitor and update your data analysis and solutions over time

Finally, you need to monitor and update your data analysis and solutions over time, as your rural context, transportation system, and equity goals and indicators may change. For example, you may collect and analyze new or updated data sources, or use new or improved tools and methods, to track the progress and impacts of your solutions. You may also modify or revise your solutions, or develop new ones, to respond to the changing needs, preferences, and expectations of your rural residents, or to the emerging challenges, opportunities, or innovations in your transportation system.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?