As part of the ETA project, DVRPC created this ETA Priority Score Map Toolkit. This interactive web-based tool demonstrates disparities in access to essential services like hospitals, health clinics, recreational spaces, senior centers, and more in the Greater Philadelphia region. Users can view layers representing different datasets including the locations of essential services; bus routes, transit stops, and rail lines; transit walksheds; distributions of vulnerable populations like seniors, households in poverty, and people with disabilities; and areas where transit access is low. By reviewing these simple, color-coded layers, users can explore the relationships between transportation access, opportunity, and equity.

This web map visually walks you through the analysis DVRPC performed to create the ETA Priority Score, a layer that helps users visualize where there is a potentially high need to improve transit service for vulnerable populations to reach essential services in the Greater Philadelphia region. To see how this toolkit can be used to answer a planning question, refer to the case study “Putting the Equity Through Access Map Toolkit to Work in Lower Bucks County (pdf).” (Note: This case study uses an older version of the ETA Map Toolkit, but the methodology can still be applied to this updated version.)

Vulnerable Populations answers the question, “Who lives here?” and highlights populations in need.

Essential Services answers the question, “Where do people need to go?” and highlights areas with more services in the region.

Population-Services Mismatch answers the question, “Where is there a gap between areas of need and essential services?” This layer highlights areas where there are higher numbers of vulnerable populations but fewer essential services and vice versa.

Transit Accessibility answers the question, “How is transit service distributed?” and highlights areas in the region with lower transit accessibility.

Priority Score answers the question, “Where can transit service be improved to help vulnerable populations access essential services?” This layer, the result of our analysis, highlights areas with higher numbers of vulnerable populations or essential services, but lower transit accessibility and vice versa.

Exploring the Data:

Select Base Layers and Themes to expand the legend overlay, and select a different map theme to display different layers.

Find your area of interest by clicking on the magnifying glass at the top right of the map, and type in your town’s name or ZIP code. Pan and zoom using the arrows just below the search bar or use your mouse.

Click on features in the map to view more information about the data in the sidebar.

ETA – Data Download

ETA – Priority Score Methodology (Google Doc)

Data Sources: DVRPC (Circuit Trails, 2020; Parks/Open Space, 2016), DVRPC Pedestrian Network (2022), DVRPC Travel Models (2023), Overture Maps (2024), HRSA (2020), NETS (2015), National Center for Education Statistics (NCES 2017-2018), SEPTA (2024), NJT (2024), PATCO (2024), U.S. Census, ACS 2018-2022 5-Year Estimates. ACS data are derived from a survey and are subject to sampling variability.

This webpage is a public resource using ACS data. 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.

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) fully complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, Executive Order 12898 on Environmental Justice, and related nondiscrimination mandates in all programs and activities. DVRPC is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, all programs and activities on the basis of race, creed color, national origin, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or income level, as protected by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other related nondiscrimination mandates.

DVRPC's website, www.dvrpc.org, may be translated into multiple languages. Publications and other public documents can be made available in alternative languages and formats, if requested. DVRPC’s public meetings are always held in ADA-accessible facilities, and held in transit-accessible locations whenever possible. DVRPC will work to accommodate all reasonable requests for translation, interpretation, accommodations or other auxiliary services and encourages that requests be made at least seven days prior to a public meeting. Requests can be made by contacting the Commission’s ADA and Title VI Compliance Officer Shoshana Akins via email at public_affairs@dvrpc.org, calling (215) 592-1800, or while registering for an upcoming meeting.

Any person who believes they have been aggrieved by an unlawful discriminatory practice by DVRPC under Title VI has a right to file a formal complaint. Any such complaint must be in writing and filed with DVRPC's ADA and Title VI Compliance Officer Shoshana Akins and/or the appropriate state or federal agency within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory occurrence. Complaints that a program, service, or activity of DVRPC is not accessible to persons with disabilities should be directed to Shoshana Akins as well. For more information on DVRPC's Title VI program or to obtain a Title VI Complaint Form (pdf), please visit: www.dvrpc.org/GetInvolved/TitleVI, call (215) 592-1800, or email public_affairs@dvrpc.org.