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RideScore is the sum of values for each station characteristic
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  •  About
  •  Purpose
  •  Disclaimer

     RideScore is an on-line database that assesses the physical and demographic characteristics around transit stations that relate to how supportive of bicycling the area is, or could be. The database focuses on commuter rail stations outside of Center City Philadelphia as well as trolley and subway terminals where having direct, safe, and nonmotorized access between transit stations and a person's origin and/or destination is a challenge.
     To assess this relationship, DVRPC staff collected data on various station area characteristics that are likely to be factors in the transit-bicycle connection. The sum of those factors is calculated to give each station a total RideScore. Together, these individual factors, and a station's total RideScore, will give transit agencies, trail advocacy groups and municipalities a picture of the station area characteristics that contribute to demand for bicycle facilities and amenities. Ultimately, RideScore may help communities identify and prioritize improvements designed to strengthen bicycle and transit connectivity.


For more information, please contact Betsy Mastaglio at bmastaglio@dvrpc.org

     RideScore seeks to draw out meaningful connections between regional transit and bicycle use throughout the entire DVRPC region where first- and last-mile issues (having direct, safe, and nonmotorized access between transit stations and a person’s origin and/or destination) are most important: commuter rail stations, trolley and subway termini outside of Center City Philadelphia. Transit and bicycle networks have a mutually beneficial relationship in that each can be used to access the other in a way that does not compromise environmental, fiscal, and safety conditions as travel by auto would. Each mode also expands the field of access of the other.
     A better coordinated transit and trail network would provide the stakeholders of these assets with a potential higher return on investment by increasing visibility, attracting new users, and sharing expenditures through yet untapped partnerships and funding sources. For users, a coordinated approach would mean greater access to places not traditionally accessed before by transit or bicycle.

This web page is a public resource of general information. The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) makes no warranty, representation, or guarantee as to the content, sequence, accuracy, timeliness, or completeness of any of the spatial data or database information provided herein. DVRPC and partner state, local, and other agencies shall assume no liability for errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in the information provided regardless of how caused; or any decision made or action taken or not taken by any person relying on any information or data furnished within.

Category description and scoring

  •  RideScore
  •  Transit
  •  Connectivity Score
  •  Cultural
  •  Circuit Proximity
  •  Outdoor Destinations
  •  Retail District
  •  Near Bicycle Facilities
  •  Population
  •  Employees
  •  Non-Parking Boards

RideScore

The sum of values for each station characteristic converted to a 1 to 10 scale.

Source: DVRPC.

Transit Vehicle Volumes

Transit Vehicle Volumes are the number of buses and individual trains that serve the area at or around each station per day. The larger the volume of transit vehicles, the more connected a place is, as it's the concentrations of transit vehicles - both rail and bus - that create options for commuters to access destinations via public transit. Each station is scored based on how many transit vehicles pass within 500 feet of the station in a twenty-four hour time period.

Scoring (vehicles within 24 hours)

  • High (5) = 270 - 3,011
  • Medium-High (4) = 195 - 269
  • Medium (3) = 135 - 194
  • Low-Medium (2) = 75 - 134
  • Low (1) = 32 - 74

Source: DVRPC.

Connectivity Score

A Connectivity Score is a rating of the connectivity of a place's street network that can be used to determine a community’s walkability. Connectivity scores for stations are based on the intersection density within 1/2-mile of the station.

Scoring (intersection density within 1/2-mile of station)

  • High (5)= 0.23 - 0.50
  • Medium-High (4) = 0.18 - 0.22
  • Medium (3) = 0.15 - 0.17
  • Low-Medium (2) = 0.11 - 0.14
  • Low (1) = 0.01 - 0.10

Source: DVRPC.

Civic and Cultural Attractors

This station characteristic aggregates the number of civic and cultural resources within 1/2 mile of the station. Civic and cultural resources aggregated include: schools, libraries, museums, art galleries, US Post Offices, colleges, botanical gardens, zoos and municipal buildings (excluding maintenance facilities).

Scoring (number of resources)

  • High (5) = 21 - 49
  • Medium-High (4) = 14 - 20
  • Medium (3) = 10 - 13
  • Low-Medium (2) = 6 - 9
  • Low (1) = 1 - 5

Sources: NETS database, National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), DVRPC.

Station Proximity to Circuit Trail Network

This station characteristic assesses how close a transit station is to the Delaware Valley's existing and planned network of 750 miles of walking and biking trails aimed at connecting the region to communities, jobs, and parks. Sections of the network are at various stages of the design and construction process. Programmed sections, those sections that have secured funding or are under construction, and existing sections, those sections that have been built and are open to the public, have the greatest effect on our communities and the way we travel and recreate today.

Scoring

  • High (5) = On/Adjacent
  • Medium-High (4) = <=1/2 mile
  • Medium (3) = 1/2 mile - 1 mile
  • Low (1) = > 1 mile

Source: DVRPC.

Outdoor Bicycle Destinations

Transit stations have been evaluated for their proximity to outdoor destinations in the Delaware Valley that may be a draw to cyclists. These destinations include, among others, federal, state, and county parks (greater than 10 acres), arboretums, and cemeteries. Scores measure a station's proximity to these recreational bicycle destinations.

Scoring

  • High (5) = < 1/4 - mile
  • Medium-High (4) = 1/4 - 1/2 mile
  • Medium (3) = 1/2 - 1 mile
  • Low-Medium (2) = 1 - 2 miles
  • Low (1) = > 2 miles

Sources: DVRPC, with feedback from the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia.

Stations Located Near a Walkable Retail District

This measure evaluates a transit station’s proximity to a concentration of retail uses that have safe pedestrian facilities. In Philadelphia County, the Philadelphia Planning Commission has identified "Walkable Commercial Corridors" - specific portions of corridors that are both comfortable for a pedestrian and have a retail focus. Within the surrounding counties, DVRPC has identified "Centers" - places with a unique sense of place, existing infrastructure, and opportunities for development. Taken together, these corridors and places make up some of the region's most notable destinations.

Scoring

  • High (5) = < 1/4 - mile
  • Medium-High (4) = 1/4 - 1/2 mile
  • Medium (3) = 1/2 - 1 mile
  • Low-Medium (2) = 1 - 2 miles
  • Low (1) = > 2 miles

Source: DVRPC.

Stations near On-road Bicycle Facilities

Transit stations have been evaluated for their proximity to on-road bicycle facilities, facilities where cyclists and vehicles share the right-of-way with no physical barriers between them. Examples of on-road facilities are designated bicycle route signage, travel lanes with painted sharrows, and striped bicycle lanes. Stations have been rated based on being located on, or within 1/4-mile of an on-road facility.

Scoring

  • Yes (5) = Station within 1/4-mile of on-road bicycle facility
  • No (0) = Station further than 1/4-mile of on-road bicycle facility

Sources: Philadelphia Streets Department, DVRPC.

Population Density

Transit stations are rated on the concentration of residents - potential transit customers and origins for transit - within 1-mile of the station. Greater population densities within station areas increase the potential for a transit customer base.

Scoring (persons within 1-mile of the station)

  • High (5) = 10,259 – 22,500
  • Medium-High (4) = 6,091 – 10,258
  • Medium (3) =4,395 – 6,090
  • Low-Medium (2) = 2,805 – 4,394
  • Low (1) = 146 – 2,804

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, DVRPC.

Employees

This station characteristic measures the number of known employees, as identified in National Establishment Time-Series (NETS) data, within 1-mile of the station. Employees located near transit may be more likely to use transit; with incentives like proximity, lack of parking, and quality sidewalk and trail connections, that likelihood could increase as the density of employees increases near the station.

Scoring (employees within 1-mile of station)

  • High (5) = 11,762 – 83,767
  • Medium-High (4) = 8,864 – 11,761
  • Medium (3) = 6,683 – 8,863
  • Low-Medium (2) = 4,879 – 6,682
  • Low (1) = 511 - 4,878

Sources: NETS database, DVRPC.

Non-Parking Passenger Boards

Transit stations are evaluated for the number of vehicles parked at the station as a percentage of the number of passengers that board trains. This difference between passenger boards and the number of parked cars can be used as an approximation of the number of passengers who access the station via walking, bicycling or getting dropped off by someone else. Stations have been rated based on the percentage of non-parking passengers.

Scoring (percent of non-parking passengers)

  • High (5) = 94.5% - 100%
  • Medium-High (4) = 76.83% - 94.49%
  • Medium (3) = 63.59% - 76.82%
  • Low-Medium (2) = 49.37% - 63.58%
  • Low (1) = 0% - 49.36%

Sources: SEPTA, DVRPC.

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