Measuring modal accessibility gap using gridded population and network map platform data

Abstract

Few studies have calculated the magnitude of the modal accessibility gap between public and private transportation (MAG) by taking into account both population characteristics and time-varying characteristics. To incorporate the aforementioned characteristics, this study computed MAG within each population grid using the anticipated travel time between two grids in real time. Moreover, a representative case study focuses on the MAG in the urban area of Xi'an during three time periods. Research results indicate that the average travel time for private transportation in the study area is significantly lower than that of public transportation. Further, the subway line has an obvious impact on improving MAG. In addition, the development of public transportation in the peripheral regions lags behind that of the city center, and the subway network is inadequately serviced. As a result of utilizing the MAG method presented in this paper, the problem related to urban transportation planning can be addressed by incorporating both the population and time-varying factors. At the end of the paper, the limitations and future works are discussed.