The methodology is described here: http://www.cts.umn.edu/Publications/ResearchReports/reportdetail.html?id=2382 http://www.cts.umn.edu/Publications/ResearchRep

The methodology is described here: http://www.cts.umn.edu/Publications/ResearchReports/reportdetail.html?id=2382 http://www.cts.umn.edu/Publications/ResearchReports/reportde.... They calculated the number of jobs that a random worker (assuming everyone lives in the centroid of the Census block he resides in) can get to by transit at every 10 minute threshold, multiplied by an exponential penalty with time constant 12.5 minutes. The metropolitan areas are ranked by this score. This basically says how many jobs that you can catch the bus to, given that you reside somewhere in the metro area. This analysis is more sophisticated than WalkScore’s Transit Score; this analysis uses OpenTripPlanner to simulate trips rather than just counting the number of bus lines near a given location. There are many related questions that are not directly answered by this report, but I think on the top of everyone’s mind is: How many apartments can you afford in commute distance from a random job? I’m guessing San Francisco would no longer rank near the top anymore. To determine whether the transit system is good enough for car-free living, one would also want a score that takes into account trips to other destinations such as bars and grocery stores.