Using Raster GIS to Evaluate Hospital Catchment Areas Based on Travel Time in North Central Massachusetts and South Central New Hampshire

by Chris Allen



Table of Contents


PART 1 - INTRODUCTION

Background

Key Assumptions and Data Sources

PART 2 - TRAVEL TIME ANALYSIS

A. The Study Area

B. Preparing the Travel-Time-Per-Cell Layer

C. Calculating Travel Times

D. Checking and Calibrating the Travel Time Maps

Supplementary Tutorial Section - Creating an "Urbanization Factor" Map

PART 3 - ASSESSING THE AFFECTED POPULATION

A. Allocating the Study Area to Hospitals

Supplementary Tutorial Section - Creating Three-Minute Travel Time Buffers

B. Creating a Population Density Map

C. Determining the Number of People in Hospital Catchment Areas

D. A First Look at the Population within the Buffer Zones

Supplementary Tutorial Section - Determining the Number of People Within Specific Buffer Regions

PART 4 - SUMMARY

CAVEATS