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EV Planning Resources: Equitable Planning

This section compiles resources and tools for EV infrastructure planning and implementation. Resources are organized by subject area and are labeled with resource type—namely, calculators and software, datasets and maps, and additional guidance and reference.

Promising Practices for Meaningful Public Involvement in Transportation Decision-Making

USDOT - Guidance/Reference

A resource to help funding recipients meaningfully involve the public in various stages of transportation decision-making. The guide walks through the important components of a comprehensive and constructive public involvement process and introduces methods and metrics to help ensure effective engagement.

Access  Promising Practices for Meaningful Public Involvement in Transportation Decision-Making

HEPGIS

USDOT FHWA – Dataset/Map

Interactive map enabling users to navigate, view, and print geospatial maps and download the underlying data. Combines several data sources to produce various layers for transportation and equity analyses. Allows users to map FHWA’s current and pending alternative fuel corridor designations. Also includes layers for population demographics, economic wellbeing, and commute times as well as for air quality, safety, congestion, and other performance metrics.

Access FHWA's HEPGIS interactive geographic map.

Screening Tool for Equity Analysis of Projects (STEAP)

USDOT FHWA - Dataset/Map

Interactive web map that outputs Title VI and environmental justice population summaries surrounding project locations. Users can either select a highway or draw a line representing the location of the project and the tool will output a summary report of the populations within a buffer of the project. 

Access the Screening Tool for Equity Analysis of Projects (STEAP)

Low-Income Energy Affordability Data (LEAD) Tool

Screenshot of DOE's LEAD Tool map showing average energy burden in the United States.
A DOE LEAD Tool map showing average energy burden (energy cost as a percentage of income) in the United States. (DOE image)

DOE – Dataset/Map

Interactive web map that allows users to explore estimated energy characteristics of low- and medium-income households at the national, State, county, city, or census tract level. Users can combine and compare selected geographic areas to better understand the energy burden facing low-income communities.

Access DOE's Low-Income Energy Affordability Data (LEAD) Tool.

EJScreen: Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool

EPA – Dataset/Map

Interactive tool that combines environmental and demographic indicators into maps and reports. Helps users identify minority or low-income populations and potential environmental quality burdens.

Access EPA's EJScreen Tool.

Data.census.gov

U.S. Census Bureau – Dataset/Map

Website to explore Census data and annual American Community Survey and American Housing Survey data. Includes dynamic table and maps generators with extensive filter options including by geography, topic, and year.

Access the U.S. Census Bureau's Data.census.gov.

Virtual Public Involvement (VPI): Video Case Studies

A sample FHWA virtual public involvement video, “Practices for State and Local Agencies,” with a focus on transportation planning and project development.
FHWA's Video Case Studies feature conversations with professionals involved in VPI at their agencies.

USDOT FHWA – Guidance/Reference

A collection of videos featuring conversations with transportation agencies and example strategies for using digital technology to engage the public in transportation decision-making, project development and planning, and environmental review. Videos on virtual engagement tools include accompanying factsheets with additional case studies, considerations, and tips for success.

Access FHWA's Virtual Public Involvement Video Case Studies.

Practical Approaches for Involving Traditionally Underserved Populations in Transportation Decisionmaking (2012)

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine – Guidance/Reference

Report that describes effective approaches to engage traditionally underrepresented populations in transportation decision-making. Describes specific methods of outreach and engagement and includes case studies from across the United States. Also lists several data sources and tools for inventorying a community’s social and economic characteristics.

Access the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's report Practical Approaches for Involving Traditionally Underserved Populations in Transportation Decision making.

EV Charging Justice40 Map Tool

Argonne National Laboratory – Dataset/Map

Web map designed to inform users if their projects are located in disadvantaged communities (DACs). Users can input the addresses of their projects or navigate to them. Users may also turn map layers on or off if needed. 

Access EV Charging Justice40 Map Tool

Energy Zones Mapping Tool (EZMT)

Argonne National Laboratory – Dataset/Map

Public, web-based system designed for energy infrastructure planning and analysis, especially evaluating the many factors influencing siting decisions. Argonne is expanding the EZMT to include electric vehicle charging station data and siting factors, including a strong emphasis on energy justice and equity metrics. Users can interactively design and query maps from the library of over mapping 340 layers, download data, and run models to map locations best fitting a set of siting criteria. 

Access Argonne National Laboratory's Energy Zones Mapping Tool (EZMT).

Community Tool Box: Assessing Community Needs and Resources (Chapter 3)

University of Kansas – Guidance/Reference

Online textbook with guidance and methods to help community leaders and decision makers assess community needs. Chapter 3 of the toolbox provides guidance specifically on identifying and assessing community needs.

Access the University of Kansas's Community Tool Box: Assessing Community Needs and Resources (Chapter 3).

Electric Vehicles for All: An Equity Toolkit

Greenlining – Guidance/Reference

Guide to making EVs affordable, practical, and accessible to low-income communities and communities of color. This toolkit also includes information on increasing EV awareness and diversifying the EV market. Note: This toolkit heavily relies on examples in California, but the information can be applied to projects in other locations. 

Access Electric Vehicles for All: An Equity Toolkit

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