Methodology for Identifying Trail Deserts: Exploring Modal Access to Trails Through Demographic & Land use Factors

Publication Date

Winter 12-2025

Description

Trail planning and development continues to grow in support of the increased demand for pedestrian and bicycle mobility throughout the country. With this growth in trail facilities, understanding how transportation justice, specifically trail modal access can be measured and evaluated is valuable. The term “trail deserts” is presented in this study as a way to describe geographic areas where residents have little to no opportunities for trail mobility. This study focuses on the development of a seven step method using Geographic Information Systems to define trail access and desert areas based on modal access (pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular) as well as understand relationships related to demographic and land use factors. A case study on Pennsylvania is conducted and the method is presented so that transportation planning organizations (such as Metropolitan Planning Organizations and Department of Transportation agencies) can apply the process to their own jurisdictions to improve trail improvement and prioritization processes.

Journal

Journal of Urban Planning and Development

Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

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