1. Environmental Justice Index Mapping Tool

2. A Brief History Protected Populations Mapped Individually
Communities of Concern Map
Staff Wanted a Methodology that Relied on Academic Research
Staff Began Work with RIS on New Mapping Technique
Additional Research on Mapping Techniques
Emphasis on Minority and Low-Income Populations

3. Previous Goals for Mapping Techniques
A Tool to Identify EJ Populations which will Enhance the Decision Making Process
A Method to Identify Disadvantaged Communities that is:
Consistent: same methodology used every time
Efficient: Data housed in central location for quick access
Dynamic: easily updated as new census data is available
Comprehensive: additional layers available for further analysis

4. Previous Challenges for Mapping Techniques
No Standard Methodologies Across MPOs, DOTs, or Federal Agencies
Meet Needs of Diverse Projects and Program Areas
Questions
What variables do we use?
How do we break them down or rank them?
Do we combine protected classes?
If so, then how?

5. Assumptions of EJI Methodology
Populations Used in the Basic EJI are Only the Federally Mandated (E.O ) Low-Income and Minority Populations
Index that Incorporates Density, Income, and Minority Status
This is a Tool to Indentify EJ Populations as a Step in the Analysis Process and Not the Entirety of the Analysis

6. Environmental Justice Index
Methodology Based on NCHRP Report 532 “Effective Methods for Environmental Justice”
Recommended this method for regional transportation analysis
Mapped by Census Block Groups
Index of Three Variables
Population Density
Percent Below poverty
Percent Minority
Scores are Multiplied for a Possible Score of 1-100

7. Basic EJI Methodology Basic EJI Population/BG Area
Density of block Group
(DVPOP)
Population/BG Area
Assigned Density Score Based
Low-Income
(DVECO)
Low-Income/Total Pop
Compared to Regional Average
Assigned Low-Income Score
Minority
(DVMAV)
All Minority Populations Aggregated
Total Minority/Total Population
Assigned Minority Score
Basic EJI

8. How Variables are Scored for Basic EJI
Population Density (DVPOP)
Percent Below Poverty and Minority (DVECO, DVMAV)
Population Per Square Mile
Score
>0 and <=200 1
>200 and <=1,000 2
>1,000 and <=5,000 3
> 5,000 4
Percent Minority & Low-Income
Score
<= Regional Average (RA) 1
> RA and <=1.33 X RA 2
>1.33 X RA and <=1.66 X RA 3
>1.66 X RA and <= 2.0 X RA 4
>2.0 X RA 5

9. EJI Map

10. Dallas and Fort Worth

11. Adding Additional Populations
Need for Analysis of Additional Populations in Specific Program Areas
NCHRP Report Suggests that Additional Variables can be Added as Needed
Report gave no methodology for adding additional populations
Added the Ability to Incorporate Over 65 and Disabled in EJI
Did not Weight the Additional Populations the Same as 3 Basic EJI Variables

12. Expanded EJI Methodology
Density of block Group
Population/BG Area
Assigned DVPOP Score Based
Low-Income
Low-Income/Total Pop
Compared to Regional Average
Assigned DVPOP Score
Minority
All Minority Populations Aggregated
Total Minority/Total Pop
Assigned DVMAV Score
Disabled
Disabled Persons/Total Pop
Assigned DVDIS Score
Over 65
Over 65/Total Population
Assigned DVSixtyFive Score
Basic EJI
Expanded EJI

13. Scoring Additional Variables
Percent Disabled or Over 65
Score
<= Regional Average (RA)
> RA and <=1.33 X RA
>1.33 X RA and <=1.66 X RA 5
>1.66 X RA and <= 2.0 X RA 10
>2.0 X RA 15
Variables
Calculation
EJI Range
Basic EJI: Density, Minority, Low-Income
DVPOP X DVMAV X DVECO
1-100
Basic EJI & Disabled
DVPOP X DVMAV X DVECO + DVDIS
1-115
Basic EJI & Over 65
DVPOP X DVMAV X DVECO + DVSixtyFive
Basic EJI, Over 65 & Disabled
DVPOP X DVMAV X DVECO + DVDIS + DVSixtyFive
1-130

14. SAS Script that calculates the scores
Block group data stored in SQL
GIS Tool

15. All Populations

16. How do the Maps Change?
Allowing Flexibility Enables Users to Tailor Needs of the Project
Added Flexibility Requires Users to Think Critically About what Variables are Appropriate for Identification
Adding Variables Changes Scoring Scale and Mapped Results
The possible EJI score is from 1-130

17. Basic EJI

18. EJI+Over 65

19. EJI+Disabled

20. EJI+Over 65+Disabled

21. Validating and Investigating Results
NCHRP Report Provided no Background on How the Specific Methodology and Scoring Criteria were Established
Staff Wanted to Know why Criteria was Used and How it Impacted the Results

22. Validating Results: Population Density4 3 2 1

23. Difference in Maps