Ease and Equity of Point of Interest Accessibility via Public Transit in the U.S

Abstract

Equitable access to essential Points of Interest (POIs) such as healthcare facilities and grocery stores via public transit is a critical urban planning challenge. This paper introduces an interactive tool that analyzes the ease and equity of such access in major U.S. cities. Using a 2-step floating catchment area (2SFCA) approach, we calculate granular accessibility indices and present them on an interactive, web-based platform. A key contribution of this work is a scenario analysis feature that allows users to simulate the impact of adding or removing POIs and visualize the resulting changes in accessibility equity. Our analysis reveals significant disparities across demographic groups, and we further utilize machine learning models to demonstrate a strong, quantifiable link between accessibility scores and neighborhood racial composition, highlighting systemic inequities. The tool provides a practical framework for policymakers to make more informed and equitable infrastructure decisions.