Research

Access Across America

The Access Across America series measures access to destinations using multiple modes of transportation from origins across the United States. Starting in 2015, the Observatory team has produced annual data on access to jobs, groceries, health care, education, and other places as part of the National Access Evaluation pooled-fund study. Access Across America reports summarize and rank destination access in major U.S. metropolitan areas each year.

Accountability Through Accessibility

Construction of the St. Croix Crossing bridge
St. Croix Crossing bridge under construction (photo credit: HDR).  

Overwhelmingly, transportation agencies rely on analyzing vehicle speed and delay to assess projects. Drawing on the case study of the billion-dollar St. Croix Crossing bridge connecting Minnesota and Wisconsin over the St. Croix River, CTS’s Accessibility Observatory argues those measures are no longer enough—changes to land use and value are also essential for decision making. Accountability through Accessibility argues for the use of Accessibility measures in system performance and project prioritization for DOTs, to fully account for their decisions. 

Reaching Essential Destinations in Rural Minnesota

April 16, 2025 webinar "Rural Access to Trauma Care from MN State Highways"

In rural communities, access to schools, grocery stores, health care facilities, and other essential services plays a crucial role in economic stability and overall well-being. However, the availability and accessibility of these destinations can vary significantly based on location and transportation options. Research conducted by Accessibility Observatory staff in 2024 and 2025 focuses on access to high schools, grocery stores, and trauma centers across Minnesota.
 

Walking and Cycling Access on Safe and Low-stress Routes

Bicycle level of traffic stress network map
Bicycle Level of Traffic Stress Network, Minneapolis, MN

Roadway conditions often make walking and cycling uncomfortable or unsafe for most people. Yet, roadways and paths are not all alike in how people experience comfort and safety as they travel. 

Level of Traffic Stress (LTS) frameworks systematically evaluate how road and intersection characteristics affect people who walk and bike. The Accessibility Observatory has developed methods to assign LTS scores to every street segment based on roadway attributes using open-source data and tools, and applies these stress-informed networks to measure destination accessibility.

 

Access in Appalachia Pilot Implementation Project

Map shaded by county showing accessibility to trauma centers by driving
Map of the study area showing driving time to the nearest trauma center. View more accessibility maps in the project app.

The Access in Appalachia Pilot Implementation Project explored transportation accessibility within the Appalachian Region, focusing on the ease with which residents can reach essential destinations. Commissioned by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and led by the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration, this project advanced our understanding of economic development, land use, and transportation infrastructure. It included multimodal access to jobs, health care, education, entertainment, and intermodal freight facilities. 

Key findings highlight significant urban-rural divides in accessibility, the impact of land-use planning on economic hubs, and the presence of health care deserts in rural areas. The project aligned with regional state DOTs' missions to enhance mobility and access and aimed to inform statewide decision-making processes. 

Access to Health Care in Rural America

August 21, 2025, panel "How Being Disconnected is Killing Rural Americans" 

In more than 200 mostly rural counties nationwide, residents lack high-speed internet and enough primary care and behavioral health care providers. Often, reliable transportation is a problem as well. That confluence of missing services makes it difficult to get care. In these places, according to an analysis by KFF Health News, people tend to die younger and live sicker lives. 

This August 2025 panel, which included a presentation by Accessibility Observatory director Eric Lind, explores that data and introduces a digital navigator and a transportation expert about the unique challenges rural residents face. The Accessibility Observatory team has conducted research to highlight these challenges across Minnesota. 

Other Research Products and Publications

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Data Usage Examples

  • Massachusetts Jobs Access Data Dashboard  
    Massachusetts DOT created a dashboard that displays job accessibility data across the state for use in project scoring.
  • Trips DC 
    The District DOT built a trip estimation generator for mixed-use developments within Washington, D.C.
  • Rethinking I-94
    MnDOT is using accessibility data to evaluate accessibility as part of its community engagement project.