Author(s): Saumya Jain, Eric Lind, Andrew Owen, and Shirley Shiqin Liu 

Author Organization(s): Accessibility Observatory, University of Minnesota  

This research report, commissioned by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and led by the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration, explores transportation accessibility within the Appalachian Region. Building upon the foundational insights provided by ARC’s Access in Appalachia report of 2020, this report expands the understanding of transportation accessibility within the Appalachian Region through innovative methodologies to measure, analyze, and visualize the access of Appalachian residents to critical opportunities, including jobs, education, healthcare, entertainment, and intermodal freight facilities. 

This research aligns with the broader mission of state DOTs in the Appalachian Region to enhance safety, mobility, and access across the Region, and serves as a catalyst for change in statewide decision-making processes. Multiple state DOT partners agree that this work can help inform project decision-making.  

North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland DOTs provided valuable insight regarding the practical implications of the accessibility metrics by mode – highway, transit and bike. The research is intended to inform state investment decision-making processes, support equitable planning, and catalyze economic growth within the region. The research report details how stakeholders, researchers, and policymakers can access and explore the datasets that were developed and used for the report, encouraging further analysis and research. These datasets cover all of the Appalachian Region plus the entire states of Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina.