Equity Evaluation of Residents’ Transit+Walk Accessibility to Sacramento Healthcare Facilities

Abstract:

Access to healthcare is a key component of public health equity, yet many U.S. communities remain dependent on private vehicles for medical travel. This study introduces an integrated framework, the Transit+Walk Score (TWS), to evaluate how effectively residents of Sacramento, California, can reach healthcare facilities via public transit and how safely, comfortably, and conveniently they can walk from transit stops to those facilities. The research aims to inform planners, transit agencies, and policy makers in designing equitable and multimodal transportation systems. The research team combined geospatial network modeling and field-based walkability audits to assess 123 healthcare facilities across Sacramento, with 56 sites selected for detailed evaluation using the Pedestrian Environment Data Scan (PEDS) tool. The TWS integrated modeled transit travel times with on-the-ground walkability data to identify areas of high and low accessibility. Findings revealed that Downtown, Midtown, and East Sacramento exhibited the highest multimodal accessibility, while northern Arden-Arcade and outer suburban areas demonstrated the lowest. Educational attainment emerged as the strongest predictor of accessibility, highlighting structural inequities in pedestrian and transit infrastructure. The study concludes that equitable healthcare access requires both reliable transit and safe, continuous pedestrian networks. The TWS offers a scalable, data-driven tool to guide future investments that advance health equity, sustainable transportation, and inclusive community design.

Publications:

Equity Evaluation of Residents’ Transit+Walk Accessibility to Sacramento Healthcare Facilities (Full Report)

Research Brief

Authors:

Dr. Masoud Ghodrat Abadi
Dr. Masoud Ghodrat Abadi is an Associate Professor of Transportation Engineering in the Department of Civil Engineering at California State University, Sacramento (CSUS). Dr. Abadihas over a decade of experience in active transportation, with a background that spans multiple roles, shaping his expertise in the field. His career has included work as a traffic engineer, researcher, and professor, all contributing to his involvement in initiatives aimed at promoting and improving active transportation.

Dr. Ahoura Zandiatashbar
Dr. Ahoura Zandiatashbar is an Associate Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at San José State University and the Founding Director of the Spatial Analytics and Visualization Institute (SAVI). His research focuses on the intersection of urban analytics, active transportation, and spatial equity, with a particular emphasis on using GIScience to inform policy and infrastructure planning. Dr. Zandiatashbar work integrates data-driven methods with community-engaged research to support inclusive and sustainable urban development.

Aaron Pickett
Aaron Pickett is a master’s student in Civil Engineering at California State University,Sacramento. His thesis research examines walkability to healthcare facilities across the Sacramento region, with an emphasis on understanding how accessibility relates to equity in transportation and infrastructure planning. In addition to his academic work, Aaron has contributed to transit performance studies and multiple active transportation projects through his internship experience. His interests lie in advancing sustainable mobility and improving the connection between transportation planning and active transportation networks.

Stephanie Nemet
Stephanie Nemet is a master’s student in Geographic Information Science (GISc) at San José State University. Her thesis research explores the intersection of affordable housing and transit-oriented development (TOD). She has contributed to numerous projects with the Spatial Analytics and Visualization Institute (SAVI), focusing on public transit, public health, and vulnerable communities. As the student GIS lead for the City of San José, she played a key role in expanding the Bay Wheels bike-share program into East San José. Her work is driven by a passion for reducing auto-dependency and promoting sustainable, equitable urban environments.

Dr. Soheil Sharifi
Soheil Sharifi is a Data Analyst at the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) and holds a PhD in Urban Planning and Public Policy from the University of Texas at Arlington. With over four years of research and applied experience in transportation and mobility science, Dr. Sharifi specializes in travel demand modeling, regional mobility, traffic analysis, multimodal planning,and intelligent transportation systems (ITS). He leverages a broad range of open-source geospatial and transportation modeling tools to design innovative, data-driven solutions to complex urban mobility challenges. Dr. Sharifi has contributed to a wide array of transportation planning efforts, including regional travel demand management, toll and revenue forecasting, transportation data science, and transportation planning, and modeling education.

Published:

March 2026

Keywords:

Public transit

Walkability

Health care facilities

Access

Transportation equity