The Evaluation of Transport Exclusion in the Peripheral Cross-Border Areas of Central Europe in the Context of Applicability of Information-Based Carpooling

Duszan Józef Augustyn,Michał Baran

doi:10.3390/su13063440

Abstract

The phenomenon of social exclusion caused by transport exclusion is one of the main causes of social problems in peripheral areas, as well as a major organizational challenge for public service providers and all organizations operating in the areas where this problem occurs. Transport exclusion has a negative impact on the dynamics of socioeconomic processes and may interfere with sustainable development plans of stakeholders operating in a given area. The phenomenon is characterized by particular intensity in peripheral border localities with a low population density and outdated public transport system (established in the past to meet the needs of industrial society). The aim of this analysis is to present the basic principles of a conceptual model that combines the estimation of the scale of the transport exclusion phenomenon (in accordance with the specificity of peripheral border areas) with the idea of institutionalized carpooling based on effective information management. The usefulness of the said model underwent verification with respect to the possibility of estimating the scale of transport exclusion in peripheral border areas based on the example of the Polish–Slovak border area (Lesko Commune and Snina District). During the course of the research, factors characterizing the currently functioning public transport system were also indicated. They proved the system’s inadequacy for the challenges faced by the post-industrial society.

Highlights

Transport exclusion has many negative consequences for the inhabitants of the territories affected by this phenomenon, people arriving there, as well as organizations operating in the territories where transport-related social exclusion occurs
The study was aimed at confirming the thesis that the specificity of conditions that occur in peripheral border areas justifies the indication of institutionalized carpooling as a solution that is adequate to the challenges arising in such circumstances
The negative tendencies intensify each other: the less attractive the transport offer, the more passengers give up using public transport, which exacerbates the crisis and further limits the profitability of operations. This process indirectly leads to many subsequent negative social consequences described in more detail above. Both the model used in Poland and the model providing for administrative interference in the network of public transport connections do not allow a significant reduction of transport exclusion

Summary

Introduction

Transport exclusion has many negative consequences for the inhabitants of the territories affected by this phenomenon, people arriving there, as well as organizations operating in the territories where transport-related social exclusion occurs. In the case of public transport, this can be linked to the specific features of a bus service system since this mode of transport clearly dominates in the peripheral border areas (especially where natural obstacles hinder the efficient use of dense rail networks) [26]. This specificity results from the fact that the provision of transport activities brings return on investment only on routes leading to larger towns or cities, i.e., local centers of social life. This situation results in a vicious circle of transport exclusion caused by the gradual reduction of the number of routes, a lower frequency of transport services, a fall in the number of transfer nodes, insufficient expenditures on bus fleets and road infrastructure, as well as an overall decline in the quality of transport services provided, which discourages potential commuters from using the poor transport offer

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Conclusion