Results & Conclusion

import geopandas as gpd

es_final_idx = gpd.read_file('./data/final_index/es_final_index.geojson')
ms_final_idx = gpd.read_file('./data/final_index/ms_final_index.geojson')
hs_final_idx = gpd.read_file('./data/final_index/hs_final_index.geojson')

Results

The following maps demonstrate the combined index values for all road segments in Philadelphia. These values represent the relative need for SRTS infrastructure improvements on each road segment based on both the cost of travel (VMT, K-Factor) and the demographics of the school catchment area that each road segment primarily intersects with (population density, proportion of students enrolled in school, proportion of family households). Higher index values indicate a higher priority for SRTS improvements.

es_final_idx.explore(
    column='combined_index',
    cmap='RdYlGn',
    tiles = "CartoDB Positron",
)

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ms_final_idx.explore(
    column='combined_index',
    cmap='RdYlGn',
    tiles = "CartoDB Positron"
)

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hs_final_idx.explore(
    column='combined_index',
    cmap='RdYlGn',
    tiles = "CartoDB Positron"
)

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Conclusion

The primary hotspots for SRTS improvements based on this index are concentrated in North and West Philadelphia, with some additional pockets in South Philadelphia and along the Delaware River waterfront. These areas generally correspond to neighborhoods with higher population densities and a larger proportion of school-aged children, as well as road segments with moderate to high vehicle volumes. These findings are notable, since many of these areas - particularly those in North and Northeast Philadelphia, have historically been underserved by pedestrian/bike transportation infrastructure improvements, and SRTS projects could provide significant safety benefits for students in these communities.