Transportation Planning Services
Transportation Network Analysis is a
sophisticated way of evaluating the reach
of transportation systems. Using the actual
layout of road and rail networks, travel
time or distance to specific points can be
measured in a much more useful manner
than traditional analyses. The graphic at
the right shows driving access to
commuter rail stations in Massachusetts in
blue, compared with the older method of
simply drawing a circle around the
stations. Uses include:

Identifying areas within a certain
distance of transit stops or highway
onramps
Examining coverage of distribution
facilities
Examining the impact of a proposed
new road or transit line
Other forms of transportation analysis
can begin with a GIS base with information
about road layout and traffic volumes,
which can be used to identify potential
problems, and to propose possible
solutions. At right and below is an analysis
of Dudley Square in the Roxbury
neighborhood of Boston. This project
included:

Traffic flow analysis
Identification of available parcels
Exploration of street frontages
Detailed analysis of the local bus
circulation patterns

Based on this analysis, a number of
solutions were suggested, including:

Rerouting buses through the main
stop
Splitting high traffic streets into
more lower capacity streets
Creating more street frontage
around the transit hub
Eric Beaton Urban Planning and GIS Services