As a basis for analyzing the transportation capacity, I first isolated the various modes of transport and related them to spatial data within the Boston Metro Area. The map below shows analysis of the MBTA's Rapid Transit system, or the T. There are 121 total stations that encompass 4 heavy-rail lines, 4 light-rail lines, and a trolley line.  Each red dot represents a stop and the shaded-orange circles surrounding the stations represent a 0.3 mile radius. Joined to these buffers are population data from the intersected census tracts. By depicting the data in this fashion, it helps us to differentiate between urban and suburban service. This map shows that the further one goes out of Boston, the greater the average population within the surrounding radius.

 

In theoretical terms, this shows the difference between a suburban and urban commuter. The end stations of each line are most valuable in terms of ridership as they help to serve a greater average population and particularly those with cars. One of the questions in analyzing the transportation options are how citizens choose which mode(s) to use and why. The end stations better serve the suburban commuters who drive to the rail station while the ones that fall within Boston proper seem to better serve urban, walking commuters. Additionally, the lighter shaded circles suggest that those destinations are not as densely residential as the outer suburbs. The fact that the airport and part of the Seaport District are the lightest shaded regions reinforces this fact. Ultimately, the MBTA Rapid Transit System serves the densest part of the transportation network and this map explains that.