Despite the construction of a dedicated network of highways known as the Appalachian Development Highway System, many remote communities in the Appalachian region are forced to contend with the disadvantages of limited access to basic goods and services. To ascertain the locations of the largest gaps, we developed a comprehensive set of methods that allows us to measure the relative accessibility of specific services and opportunities (e.g., schools, jobs, medical facilities) for residents with and without a vehicle. Our client, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), aims to integrate the methods in a data-analysis and mapping tool.
Picture Credits: ARC