Title

Evaluating accessibility for transportation planning

Authors

Document Type

Working Paper

Publication Date

2008

Subject Area

Transport accessibility - Access to Information, Transport accessibility - Lack of access, Transport planning - Accessibility planning, Transport planning - Demographics, Transport planning - Transport demand, Transport services - Affordability

Abstract

This paper discusses the concept of accessibility and how it can be incorporated in transport planning. Accessibility refers to people's ability to reach goods, services and activities, which is the ultimate goal of most transport activity. Many factors affect accessibility, including mobility (physical movement), the quality and affordability of transport options, transport system connectivity, mobility substitutes, and land use patterns. Accessibility can be evaluated from various perspectives, including a particular group, mode, location or activity. Conventional planning tends to overlook and undervalue some of these factors and perspectives. More comprehensive analysis of accessibility in planning expands the scope of potential solutions to transport problems.