Equity of Access to
Essential Goods & Services

Inequities by race and income were highlighted during the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly considering access to economic opportunities and essential services. State Department of Transportation (DOTs) officials seek to gain a stronger understanding of how accessibility differs by demographic groups, and improve equity in access. Such an understanding will help agencies define transportation policy, project funding, operations, and other strategies to bridge mobility gaps. We are developing a guide to help DOTs identify accessibility challenges in underserved populations, highlight methods to measure accessibility performance through an equity lens; provide direction on implementation; and suggest strategies for incorporating accessibility and equity into transportation planning.