This report, commissioned by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and led by the North Carolina Department of Transportation, explores transportation accessibility within North Carolina. Building upon the foundational insights provided by ARC’s Access in Appalachia report of 2020, this report provided an opportunity to measure differences in accessibility across the state of North Carolina and develop replicable metrics to aid in transportation project prioritization, planning activities, and policy development. A well-connected transportation system allows more people to access and participate in the economy. The strength of communities and overall economic potential depends on reliable access.

This report measures existing access in North Carolina across transportation modes and connects measures of access to indicators of relative need to identify locations with the greatest opportunity for improvement through targeted transportation investments. Innovative aspects of this research include the development of accessibility indices (across multiple modes and metrics), new data associated with public transit and demand response transit systems, and the assessment of accessibility challenges for households without a vehicle. The report outlines the ways in which access measures may support future transportation planning in North Carolina.

This research aligns with the broader mission of Appalachian regional state DOTs to enhance safety, mobility, and access across the Region, and it can support changes in statewide decision-making processes.