The first map that I created analyzed the relationship between population densities and the transit lines. For this map I analyzed the transit oriented developments in essex, hudson, and union counties. My analysis shows that there are portions of the transit lines where higher densities of people live but for at least 75% of the transit lines running through the transit oriented developments density is not as high as it is in other areas along the rail. This shows that there is potential for other transit communities to be built and that there is a demand for housing close to rail lines. I chose to do my analysis of population density in northern counties of new jersey because I wanted to see if people were more likely to live close to rail lines in order to use them to commute to NYC for work or if people would rather live away from them. My projections show that there is a high percentage of high density living going on near the rail lines so people most likely want to live close to the lines to commute more easily.
The second map I created looked at the percentage of African American people living in close vicinity to the transit oriented developments in Middlesex County. My data shows that there is very low numbers of African Americans who are living near current rail lines. The reasons for this could vary greatly but the state, Amtrak, and NJ Transit may want to consider why this racial group is not living near rail lines and how it can encourage them to move into transit oriented developments. If these groups can encourage African Americans to move into transit areas where there is higher density living the diversity of people living close together will be greater and could be beneficial to the community. New Brunswick has one of the highest populations of African Americans living close to rail lines. This is probably because of the population size of New Brunswick.
The third map I created analyzes the percentage of people using public transportation and if there is high levels of participation for those living close to rail lines. Data was collected from the U.S. Census and N.J. DEP in order to determine the percent of people using public transit to get to work. My data shows that very low portions of the people living close to rail lines use it to commute to work on a regular basis. Average numbers range between 8% and 15% of people using the public transportation on a regular basis. NJ Transit & Amtrak should consider this when considering upgrades to rail lines and establishing new stops. These groups may also want to consider ways to push incentives for those who live close to the lines to use them more than he/she does currently.
My fourth map looks at the relationship between Average Median Income and transit lines that run through Burlington and Camden counties. The projections show that those who live close to the “River Line” average a salary less than 50k a year and almost half those people make less than 27k a year. This shows that the lower income people live near rail lines and that there may be a correlation between the lower income families and rail lines. One idea for why this occurs is that the family can’ afford a car or multiple cars so public transit is cheaper and more efficient therefore when looking for a home they search for those close to transit lines. Another possibility for why lower income families live close to transit lines is that wealthier people do not want to hear the trains and see them so they chose to live further from the transit lines. House prices and rental costs may be cheaper near rail lines so it makes it easier for lower income families to purchase or rent near the transit lines.
Transit Oriented Development in NJ 
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