Policy-feasibility study of vertical/horizontal moving-assistant systems for the mobility-disabled using a contingent valuation method

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe development of vertical/horizontal moving-assistant systems is at an initial stage. However, it is expected to enhance the efficiency of mobility-disabled individuals when it is used in the field of public transportation systems. Hence, this study involved analyzing the benefits and whether users would be willing to pay more as a type of tax to install the new systems into the public transportation sector by using the contingent valuation method as well as their willingness-to-pay for these systems. A survey was conducted among Seoul metropolitan subway users to establish a model and compute the total annual benefits of the new systems. The results indicated that individuals are willing to pay more of USD 1.65 for the installation of a new system. The findings also determined that the minimum and maximum total annual benefits of establishing these systems are USD 69.81 million and USD 200.32 million, respectively. Additionally, an analysis was performed to separately compare the value of installing these systems from the viewpoints of general and mobility-disabled users. This analysis indicated that general users consider the value of new systems that is not directly related to their own convenience as more necessary and valuable when compared to the perceptions of mobility-disabled users. There is a paucity of studies on vertical/horizontal moving-assistant systems in the field of transportation. Nevertheless, the results of the study suggest that the proliferation of the systems is feasible and leads to enhancements in the sustainability of the public transportation sector.