Title

Monetising the benefits of disabled access in transport appraisal

Authors

Alice Maynard

Document Type

Conference Paper

Publication Date

2007

Subject Area

Infrastructure - Facilities, Location - UK, Mobility - Disabled, Population - Parents with young children, Transport services - Cost

Abstract

The research that forms the basis of this paper addressed platform to platform access methods designed to accommodate disabled people. However, barrier-free infrastructure provision assists not only disabled people, but others who find the transport environment difficult to negotiate because, for example, they have heavy luggage, or small children. Providing access for disabled people almost always improves access for others. The study therefore involved a broad sample of the population and it was anticipated that results would demonstrate consumer surplus across the sample. At present in the United Kingdom (UK) transport professionals making investment decisions have to compare quantitative data (cost) with qualitative (benefit) in relation to disabled access when determining value for money. A stated preference survey of willingness to pay for disabled access at heavy rail stations was undertaken, using discrete choice modelling, to provide a monetary value for the benefits of platform to platform access for disabled people such that practitioners can incorporate it into an appraisal and thus compare costs and benefits in a consistent manner.