ETA Gaps and Bridges

“Gaps and Bridges” is an outline of issues and needs that vulnerable populations face in accessing essential services. This document was informed by research on best practices for accessibility and feedback from stakeholders during the project outreach process.

Gaps are factors in the region that constrain access to transportation or mobility for vulnerable populations.

Bridges are potential solutions, based on case studies and expert opinion, aimed at developing more comprehensive and effective regional transit service and multi-modal infrastructure.

Gaps and Bridges are the priority needs and strategies for the ETA project and form the basis of the CHSTP.

Gaps and Bridges Summary

GapsBridges
Infrastructure does not meet the needs of vulnerable populations, particularly those with mobility and income concerns
  • Create accessible infrastructure
  • Provide infrastructure that feels safe for vulnerable users
Existing service is not coordinated across regional boundaries and funding is scarce, inflexible, and siloed
  • Improve transportation service
  • Encourage creative, flexible use of existing funding sources and identify new funding partners
Data on vulnerable populations is needed as well as information about travel options and opportunities
  • Create data resources to inform planning and service improvements
  • Improve outreach, marketing, and communication

Map Toolkit

The ETA Map Toolkit, an interactive online tool, was created to demonstrate concentrations of need and opportunity, and to show 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 distributions of vulnerable populations, the locations of essential services, and areas where transit access is low—to help visualize areas where new public transit connections could be made, changed, or improved to bridge access gaps in the future.