Improving destination accessibility, particularly in underserved areas to key services (grocery, healthcare, education) can both improve equity-and reduce VMT by reducing the distance that people have to drive.
Improving destination accessibility allows for key destinations (e.g. jobs, supermarkets, or schools) to be located in closer proximity. Reduced time and distance between origins and destinations encourages people to walk or bike, reducing VMT.
Improving access to key destinations in underserved areas supports mobility justice by connecting residents to jobs, education, healthcare, and groceries. Priority should be given to equity-priority neighborhoods identified in local definitions of disadvantaged communities or using tools such as CalEnviroScreen. Engagement with community-based organizations is essential to align improvements with local needs.
Destination accessibility improvements can be supported through a combination of private development funding and public transportation, community development, and infrastructure programs. Local jurisdictions can provide financial incentives and prioritize public investments in areas where residents have limited access to jobs, schools, health care, grocery stores, parks, and other essential destinations. Potential funding sources include the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program, Safe Streets and Roads for All, Transportation Alternatives, Community Development Block Grant funds, Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning grants, and other programs supporting multimodal transportation and community connectivity. Funding can also be combined with bicycle, pedestrian, transit, and first-/last-mile improvements to maximize the accessibility benefits of individual projects.
The Roger K. Fall Transit Center improves destination accessibility by connecting local and regional transit services in a single location. The facility provides access to jobs, education, healthcare, shopping, and community services throughout Turlock, Stanislaus County, and neighboring regions while facilitating transfers between multiple transit providers. Planned future connections to ACE rail service will further expand the range of destinations accessible by transit.
StanRTA’s existing network provides connections between residential communities and destinations such as schools, grocery stores, government buildings, and community facilities. For example, Route 60 connects the Modesto Transit Center with Oakdale and serves schools, government buildings, grocery stores, and other community destinations along the route. This demonstrates how transit access can be used to improve destination accessibility for residents throughout Stanislaus County.
