Every Stop Counts: Prioritizing Bus Stop Accessibility with GIS
Skill Level: Intermediate, Advanced
Intended Audience: GIS User, GIS Builder, Student
Abstract
Accessible transit begins long before a passenger boards a bus. The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, in partnership with Greater Peoria Mass Transit District (CityLink), developed the Bus Stop Accessibility Plan to create a data-driven framework for improving accessibility, safety, and rider experience throughout the Greater Peoria region. The project involved a comprehensive inventory of all 887 unique bus stops within the CityLink fixed-route service area, documenting critical accessibility features and amenities including sidewalks, curb ramps, landing pads, shelters, benches, lighting, and signage. This presentation highlights how General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) files, mobile data collection via Survey123, and spatial analysis with ArcGIS Pro were used to transform a regional bus stop inventory into a prioritization and decision-support tool. Attendees will learn how field-collected data were combined with accessibility criteria, rider needs, and stakeholder input to develop a scoring methodology that ranks bus stops according to improvement needs and investment priorities. The process supports compliance with ADA guidelines while also advancing broader goals related to mobility, transit equity, and quality of life in the Peoria area.
Presenters
Isaiah Hageman
GIS Specialist III, Tri-County Regional Planning Commission
Isaiah is the GIS guru for Tri-County Regional Planning Commission. He holds a Master’s in GIS from Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan and a Part 107 drone license. When he isn’t creating maps for the various plans and grant applications at Tri-County, Isaiah enjoys working with 360 video and images to create 3D scenes in ArcGIS Pro and flying his drone to capture Central Illinois landscapes. Outside of work, Isaiah enjoys travelling the country with his wife and taking care of their two cats.
Gavin Hunt
Planner I, Tri-County Regional Planning Commission
Gavin has served as a planner with the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission since 2023. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Illinois, Springfield. And master’s degree of Public Administration from Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville. He has worked on such projects as comprehensive plans and active transportation plans. His current focus is transit planning for fixed routes. In his spare time, he kayaks the Illinois River and visits National Parks throughout the country.