Accessible bus stops and shelters are crucial for bus users with mobility-related disabilities. The scarcity of such stops, especially in extreme weather conditions, is one of the transportation barriers experienced by several groups, including persons with disabilities and seniors. While many cities focus on ensuring their transit vehicles are accessible, much less attention is paid to ensuring bus stops are accessible. This paper proposes a location optimization-based solution that aims to equitably distribute the location of accessible bus shelters. The modelling method provides location optimization capability by means of integrating Geographic Information System (GIS)-based network analysis, linear/nonlinear programming and observed ridership data. The case study consists of problem definition, methodological details, data sources, optimization scenarios which will include alternative distributions of accessible bus shelters across the transit network, followed by conclusions, and recommendations. The findings and recommendations will offer a pragmatic analysis of the tradeoffs between different optimization strategies for enhancing transit inclusivity.
