Transport Accessibility Research Articles

Multidimensional Adult and Child Poverty in India—Establishing Consensus About Socially Perceived Necessities for a New Measure of Poverty

This article describes the use of the Consensual Approach to poverty measurement in a pilot survey conducted in Telangana state in 2020/21. Respondents were asked about whether a series of items and activities, ranging from two pairs of all-weather shoes to attending important social functions were essential for adults and children and whether they had them or could take part. Households that answered negatively were then asked why. Following the approach pioneered by Mack and Lansley, households whose lack was enforced were identified as deprived. We found high levels of endorsement for a wide range of items such as three meals a day, school uniforms and equipment, health facilities and transport access as well as the ability to afford clothing, social activities and savings. We also found similar levels of consensus over a wide range of necessities across religion, location, caste and education. The results underscore the importance of dimensions and specific deprivations that are not entirely captured by existing monetary and multidimensional poverty approaches used in India. This reinforces the call for child-centric methodologies such as United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF’s) Multiple Overlapping Deprivation Analysis (MODA), which distinguish between age groups and their evolving needs. Our results also suggest that simply relying on existing Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) surveys leads to underestimation of the extent to which widely endorsed needs are satisfied. Furthermore, our findings challenge policymakers to consider expanding the measurement of poverty to include the public’s perception of necessities, which will enrich the index with culturally specific and socially validated indicators.

Use of Remote Focus Groups to Improve Inclusive Design Practice

This study examines the use of remote focus groups to obtain wheeled mobility device user’s ideas regarding Shared Autonomous Vehicles (SAVs). Given the global increase in the aging population and disabled people, inclusive design is essential for accessible transportation. Using remote focus groups, this research collected statements from nine wheeled mobility device users about their design preferences, needs, and challenges with SAVs. Participants attended four virtual sessions featured with presentations and videos of SAVs. Discussions were video recorded in Zoom, with transcripts reviewed for accuracy. Data analysis included cleaning, coding, and assessing interrater reliability using the ICC. The findings not reported here highlighted the diverse needs and preferences of participants, emphasizing the importance of collecting information from this group early in the design process. This study shows well-planned remote focus groups can be an effective tool to gather human factors system design information from user populations that face transportation barriers.

Sustainable mobility challenges – case study of the offshore center in Gdansk transport accessibility

Urban mobility planning is one of the key elements in building a sustainable future. Strategic management of urban transport traffic not only reduces congestion and minimises the negative impact on the environment but also positively affects the improvement of residents' quality of life. Furthermore, following the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive approved by the European Union in 2023, companies are obliged to submit annual reports on their environmental impact. One of its elements is the calculation of the organization's carbon footprint, which includes emissions caused by means of transport, including emissions from commuting to work. This case study investigates the impact of transport accessibility on employee preferences and behaviour in the context of changing the premises location, using the example of the Maritime Institute of Gdynia Maritime University (GMU), located at the newly opened Offshore Center in Gdansk seaport. The research hypothesis states that the relocation to new premises with limited transport accessibility may, as a consequence, influence the choice of commuting transportation methods among employees, potentially leading to a shift towards less sustainable means of transport. The results of the research survey prove that there is a complex interconnection between transport accessibility, commuting behaviours, and sustainable mobility initiatives. This pilot study aims to contribute to urban mobility planning by exploring how to transport accessibility influences employee behaviour and by proposing strategies to improve commuting conditions and promote more sustainable solutions.

Challenges Facing Students with Special Needs During the Transition from Primary Special Schools to Public Secondary Schools in Morogoro Municipality

The study aimed at investigating the challenges that students with special needs face during the transition from primary special schools to public secondary schools in Morogoro Municipality. The research was conducted in Morogoro Municipality and employed a cross-sectional research design alongside a mixed research approach. The target population included regular teachers and those specializing in special needs education within the municipality. The study sampled 155 respondents, comprising 131 regular teachers and 24 specialized teachers. Data collection was by means of questionnaires and interviews. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The study reveals major challenges for students with disabilities transitioning to public secondary schools, such as inadequate teacher training, insufficient curriculum adaptation, and limited support systems, compounded by social stigma, financial constraints, and inadequate preparation. To enhance the educational experience for students with disabilities, it is essential to implement comprehensive teacher training on inclusive strategies, adapt curricula to diverse learning needs, and establish robust orientation programs. Increasing funding for assistive technologies, combating social stigma with anti-bullying policies, and improving peer support networks and accessible transportation will further support these students’ integration and development and consequently enhance learning

Spatial Big Data and Analysis Strategies Supporting Geographic Information System for Transportation (GIS-T) in Conceptual Design, Modelling, and Decision-making: A Review

Abstract. Transportation is a key component in urban design for cities’ efficiency and residents’ life quality, and GIS has the capability of handling data management, model design, and scientific decision-making for transportation studies. This article reviews how spatial big data and analysis strategies help GIS-T studies from the phases of conceptual design, modelling, and decision-making. In this research, we firstly summarized categorizes of data objects and relevant information for real-world issues from transportation applications in the conceptual design phase. In the modelling phase, optimization strategies for transport planning and accessibility measures through network data were also summarized. Finally, we reviewed spatial analysis methods in supporting transport decision-making, and how spatial methods take advantage of geography features of transport variables in previous studies. Our research primarily focuses on geography research with transportation topics as applications, and this work can help transport experts to have a better understanding of GIS values for transportation modelling and planning.

Needs of Deaf People Using Elevators: Identification of Accessibility and Safety Requirements

As urbanization and population growth continue, cities concentrate an increasing amount of people, energy, and economy. Multi-story buildings enable densification, requiring vertical transport for access to upper floors. This is crucial for people with disabilities, who may face barriers in the built environment. Elevators are essential for accessibility, allowing everyone, including people with disabilities, to comfortably access multi-story buildings. However, barriers to inclusivity remain, often subtle and hard to define. This paper highlights one such example, focusing on elevator use by individuals with varying degrees of hearing loss. Currently, they cannot establish one-to-one communication with the outside world if trapped in an elevator. Under EN standards, this issue stems from alarm system requirements that lack effective alternatives to voice communication. Based on this evidence, the research was carried out in two steps, with the aim of understanding the needs of deaf individuals when using elevators by directly involving them in the study. First, a questionnaire conducted in Italy collected information regarding the safety and usability of elevators. Second, a test campaign involving both deaf and normal-hearing participants was carried out to quantify the severity of the issue and evaluate potential solutions to address the identified challenges. The conclusions indicate that current alarm systems in elevators are inadequate for individuals with hearing impairments, and effective alternatives must be implemented.

Take a hike: Spatializing allemannsretten and transportation accessibility for outdoor recreation in the Greater Stavanger Region, Norway

ABSTRACT A special connection between people and their environment is legally recognized in Norway as Allemannsretten, the right to enjoy a large part of Norwegian nature. Scholarship on leisure mobility, spatial planning, and transport geography recognizes the intrinsic value of this spatial connection. As people travel for outdoor recreation, equitable access to recreation is a goal for just transport systems and must be achieved as these systems are digitalized and electrified for low-carbon transitions. The aim of the article is to identify the impact of transportation accessibility on outdoor recreation habits in the Greater Stavanger Region, Norway’s third-largest metropolitan region. With car-centric development since the 1970s and ambitious automobility-reduction targets, transportation accessibility for outdoor recreation is a key indicator of challenges to overcome in mobility transitions, yet features marginally in public debate. In focusing on popular outdoor day trips and based on multisited interviews with both car owners and non-owners, the authors identify oversights in accessibility, spatializing the issue of local destinations in relation to urban transport transition. They conclude that policymakers must address specific gaps to make transport systems desirable and inclusive, and that a spatial lens can be used to problematize and advance just low-carbon transitions.

Destination Quality and Tourist Loyalty: The Role of Destination Value as Mediating Variable

This research analyzes the influence of destination quality and destination value on tourist loyalty in the city of Bandung, Indonesia, and tests whether destination value mediates the relationship between destination quality and tourist loyalty. The type of research chosen is quantitative with a descriptive verification approach using SEM PLS. The population for this research is domestic tourists in the city of Bandung. From the analysis of 196 respondents, the majority were women, aged 18-25 years, and had a high school education. The results show a high assessment of the quality of eating places and the level of tourist loyalty. Public transportation accessibility received a low rating, and the lowest average score on the Time Value Variable. Hypothesis analysis shows a positive and significant influence between destination quality and tourist loyalty. Apart from that, there is a positive and significant influence between destination quality and destination value, and between destination value and tourist loyalty. The findings show that destination value mediates the relationship between destination quality and tourist loyalty, emphasizing the importance of strengthening destination value elements to increase tourist loyalty in Bandung City. Keywords: destination quality, destination value, tourist loyalty, urban tourism, city branding

Analysis of the resource base and competition of business tourism in Moscow

This paper analyzes the resource base in the context of the competitiveness of business tourism in Moscow. It considers the key elements that form the infrastructure of business tourism, such as the hotel sector, transport accessibility, service level and the presence of business centers. Particular attention is paid to a comparative analysis with other large cities, which helps to identify the strengths and weaknesses of Moscow’s offer. It also considers factors influencing the development of business tourism, including macroeconomic conditions, trends in event organization and digitalization of services. The importance of cooperation between government and the private sector to create an attractive environment for international business clients is emphasized. In conclusion, recommendations are formulated for optimizing the city’s resource base to increase competitiveness and improve the image of Moscow as one of the leading destinations for business tourism.

Towards more accessible digital urban public transport for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD): a critical incident analysis (CIT)

PurposeThis study empirically and comparatively examines two digital technologies that have been implemented as part of the experience of urban public transport during the COVID-19 pandemic in the city of Barcelona, the digitization of tickets and self-service technology in kiosks in the different operators of the metropolitan transport authority (ATM) environment. The study gives a voice to people with ASD and makes a theoretical and practical contribution to making urban transport increasingly digitized after the COVID-19 pandemic, more accessible and inclusive for the group, little observed so far.Design/methodology/approachThe data collection consisted of a discussion group, ethnographic techniques and a visit to the Barcelona Metro (2022), and interviews after the visit through a semi-structured questionnaire with 12 participants with ASD. This study uses the critical incident analysis (CIT).FindingsResults provide an extension of the attribute-based Dabholkar model (1996) that applies to the perception of the use of self-service technology, when using digital technologies in urban transport.Originality/valueThis redefinition of the current model of the perception of the use of technology, taking into account the needs of people with ASD, will enable better decision making by transport operators for previously neglected groups.

Rural travel burdens in the United States: Unmet need and travel costs

Transportation accessibility, or the ease of reaching valued destinations, is a critical determinant of a person's ability to satisfy their essential needs. A lack of accessibility can result in travel burdens such as high transportation costs or unmet needs and adversely affect well-being. Prior research establishes the inverse relationship between travel burdens and access to transportation options such as public transit and proximity to destinations as well as a person's resources, including their income and access to a personal vehicle. Although travel behavior is understood to differ across rural versus urban contexts, little is known about the nature of travel burdens in rural communities. Using the 2017 National Household Travel Survey, this study quantifies and compares travel burdens in rural versus nonrural communities in the United States. In each context, we quantify and compare i) the magnitude of travel burdens, ii) who experiences travel burdens, and iii) the individual and environmental factors that are associated with travel burdens. We find higher rates of burdensome travel outcomes among rural residents. People who live in rural areas are more likely to report burdensome travel costs and unmet travel needs due to a lack of transportation options compared to people living in nonrural areas, and these differences are exacerbated for people without car access. Dispersed rural contexts are unique in that they exhibit a combination of higher rates of financial burden and unmet need relative to urban contexts. Within rural areas, financial burdens and unmet need are less prevalent for those who live in a small town when compared with those living in more dispersed areas, which suggests that even a small concentration of services and opportunities may facilitate greater access. Collectively, our results highlight the need for research that attends to context-specific needs and strategies to address travel burdens in rural communities.

8765 Assessment of the Social Vulnerability Index of a 10-Year Retrospective Cohort of Youth with Prediabetes

Abstract Disclosure: D. Somerville: None. R.H. Kolagani, MHS: None. C.E. McCrory: None. S. Budakoti: None. V.M. Chinchilli, PhD: None. J. Joseph: None. D.E. Hale: None. N. Raja-Khan: None. L.P. Huerta Saenz: None. Background: The incidence of prediabetes (preD) is rising among youth in the US. While there are known metabolic risk factors linked to preD development, we were interested in exploring the role of social determinants of health (SDoH) in the development of pediatric preD. The social vulnerability index (SVI) is a tool developed by the CDC to stratify SDoH risk for communities based on 14 factors such socioeconomic status (SES), household composition, race and transportation access. By understanding the role of SVI in the development of preD in youth, we may be able to plan interventions to prevent progression to Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). Objective: Our study goal was to determine the relationship between SVI and preD in youth receiving care at our institution, a large pediatric referral center in Central Pennsylvania. Methods: We conducted a 10-year retrospective chart review of electronic medical records (EMRs) to identify children/youth aged 6-17 years old diagnosed with preD at our pediatric health system between 01/2010 and 01/2020. We used the American Diabetes Association definitions of preD (one or more sub-type): 1) Impaired fasting glucose (IFG), 2) Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and 3) Elevated hemoglobin A1c (HA1C). ICD10 codes were used for initial chart identification (R73.01, R73.02, R73.03 and R73.09). The second phase of identification of youth with preD included the review of biological measures of glycemia of the initial identified charts to support the reported ICD10 diagnosis (either isolated subtypes or combinations). Social, demographic characteristics, and residence setting (urban vs. rural) were also investigated. SVI was assessed on a 0-1 scale, with high SVI (0.5-1) indicating greater social vulnerability and low SVI (0-0.49) indicating lower social vulnerability. Rurality was determined per the Health Resources and Services Administration Tool (HRSA). SAS frequencies were calculated. Fisher’s exact tests were applied to compare the frequencies of the aforementioned groups with respect to IFG, IGT, and HA1C. Results: We identified 2700 charts of youth with preD per ICD10 codes search, but only 552 had confirmed preD diagnosis supported by biological data registered in EMRs. The most common preD isolated subtype was HA1C (87.3%), while 12% and 4% had isolated IFG and IGT, respectively. Most youth had high SVI (66.9%) and only 5.8% were rural (p > 0.05). Neither SVI or rurality were associated with isolated preD subtypes, but 8.2% of low-SVI youth had composite [IFG +HA1C] subtypes compared to 3.5% of high-SVI youth (p=0.02). Conclusions: SVI was not significantly associated with any isolated preD subtype. However, youth with the combined preD subtypes [IFG + HA1C] had lower SVI. As T2D is more prevalent in youth from low SES, addressing SDoH at earlier stages of T2D (preD phase) is needed in the effort to prevent the progression of the disease. Presentation: 6/1/2024

An enhanced transit accessibility evaluation framework by integrating Public Transport Accessibility Levels (PTAL) and transit gap

Rapid urbanization has presented many challenges, notably spatial imbalances between the transit supply and demand within cities. The inequitable distribution of transit supply, which include the transit infrastructure and services, may lead to formation of areas where transit is under provisioned. This work aims to develop an enhanced framework for measuring spatial disparities in accessing transit systems by combining established concepts of Public Transport Accessibility Levels (PTAL) and transit gap. The proposed framework incorporates PTAL as a supply indicator and transit dependent population as the demand indicator while estimating the transit gap. PTAL takes into account the intricate relationship between transit infrastructure and transit services, an aspect that was overlooked by the previous studies on transit gap. Inclusion of PTAL enhances the transit gap evaluation method by offering a deeper understanding and a holistic perspective on the transit system. We demonstrate the proposed approach with an application in Singapore. Additionally, we propose a new classification system based on PTAL and transit gap to distinguish areas where high transit gap is a result of very high demand rather than poor supply. Results show that 44.82 % of the transit dependent population in Singapore lives in high transit gap area out of which 4.69 % population stays in transit desert zones, where supply is poor, and 40.13 % lives in transit stressed zone, where demand is very high. The study also developed a simple decision framework based on PTAL and transit gap scores to suggest effective policy measures for reducing the spatial disparity in transit system accessibility. The findings from the work can aid policymakers and transport planners in land-use and transport planning of cities.

Access to primary healthcare services among adults with disabilities in Brazil.

To investigate perspectives of people with disabilities in Brazil regarding the access to primary healthcare. In-depth interviews were conducted with 44 individuals with disabilities in Pernambuco, Distrito Federal, and São Paulo between March 2020 and November 2021. These interviews were transcribed, coded, and analysed thematically, using the Levesque framework to identify healthcare access barriers. Participants expressed a solid understanding of their healthcare needs and existing obstacles. However, individuals with hearing and visual impairments experience challenges because of communication barriers. In Pernambuco, the Community Health Agent was often the initial point of contact for primary care services. Public transportation lacked accessibility, from buses to driver attitudes, posing difficulties for people with disabilities. More accessible transportation and improved urban infrastructure could enhance service access. High medication costs were reported due to limited healthcare unit availability. Communication accessibility issues, inadequate audio-visual resources and equipment were also identified as barriers. Attitudinal barriers among healthcare professionals and subpar home visit services further hinder access. To address these challenges and improve the well-being of individuals with disabilities in Brazil, comprehensive action is essential. This includes leadership, governance, and resource allocation reforms to meet healthcare needs. Initiatives like disability-focused training for service providers, enhanced transportation options, improved information accessibility, and increased support from community healthcare workers can collectively enhance the lives of people with disabilities.

Significantly Enhanced Oxidation Resistance and Electrochemical Performance of Hydrothermal Ti3C2Tx MXene and Tannic Acid Composite for High-Performance Flexible Supercapacitors.

The electrochemical performances of Ti3C2Tx MXene are severely restricted by the easy oxidation and restacking. Herein, tannic acid (TA) is introduced into Ti3C2Tx dispersion, and the mixed dispersion is further subjected to a simple hydrothermal treatment to prepare the hydrothermal Ti3C2Tx and TA composite (h-Ti3C2Tx@h-TA). Due to the decomposition of TA into gallic acid (GA), hydrothermal TA (h-TA) is a mixture of TA and GA. The strong interaction between h-TA and MXene mainly involves chemical interaction between the hydroxyl groups in h-TA and the surface/edge Ti atoms, along with numerous hydrogen bonds. The h-TA intercalation weakens MXene restacking and increases interlayer spacing, thereby improving ion transport pathways and accessibility. The chemical interaction between the hydroxyl groups of GA and the Ti atoms significantly enhances oxidation resistance and pseudocapacitive active sites. Therefore, the h-Ti3C2Tx@h-TA film electrode shows significantly enhanced capacitance (848 F·g-1 at 1 A g-1) and cycling stability (100% retention after 20 000 cycles). Moreover, flexible sandwiched supercapacitors with symmetrical h-Ti3C2Tx@h-TA electrodes exhibit a high energy density of 30.1 Wh kg-1 at a high power density of 300 W kg-1, outperforming those of Ti3C2Tx-based film electrodes and sandwiched supercapacitors reported so far. The extrusion-printed microsupercapacitors with h-Ti3C2Tx@h-TA electrodes demonstrate high areal capacitance (135 mF cm-2 at 5 mV s-1) along with energy storage performance (6.74 μWh cm-2 at 506 μW cm-2) and cycling stability (98.8% retention after 41 460 cycles), all while maintaining excellent flexibility. These impressive results indicate the great application potential of the hydrothermal Ti3C2Tx MXene and tannic acid composite in flexible energy storage devices.

Cultivation and Marketing Challenges in Growth of Herbal Plants in Garhwal Region, Uttarakhand

Evidence based on observation and conversation with the farmers played a major role in findings of this study. The study's main goal is to assess the current state of the market for medicinal plants in hilly region of Uttarakhand with a focus on easily accessible transportation, as well as storage facilities, threats and tactics associated with marketing these products in the region under proper supervision.

Sustainable Spatial Distribution and Determinants of Key Rural Tourism Villages in China: Promoting Balanced Regional Development

Understanding the spatial distribution and sustainable development of rural tourism is essential for promoting balanced regional growth and formulating optimized policy strategies. This study aims to provide insights into sustainable development and policy optimization. Utilizing geographic information system technology, dominance analysis, and Geodetector statistical methods, this research offers a comprehensive examination of the spatial patterns and determinants of these distributions. The findings reveal significant regional disparities and clustering, with a higher concentration of key villages in economically developed eastern and central regions and fewer in the less developed western regions. The dominance analysis highlights that provinces such as Zhejiang, Shandong, and Beijing demonstrate strong advantages across multiple dimensions, including ecological environment, economic development, tourism infrastructure, transportation accessibility, policy support, and social development. Conversely, regions such as Ningxia, Qinghai, and Tibet exhibit lower dominance scores, indicating challenges in rural tourism development due to limited resources and infrastructure. Key influencing factors include forest coverage, GDP per capita, the number of star-rated hotels, transportation network density, policy initiatives, and urbanization rates. The results underscore the importance of a multi-dimensional approach to enhance rural tourism competitiveness and suggest targeted strategies for underperforming regions. This study contributes to advancing the theoretical framework of sustainable rural tourism and provides actionable insights for policymakers to foster balanced regional development, ecological conservation, and community-centered tourism practices.

Endogeneity of pedestrian survival time and emergency medical service response time: Variations across disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged communities

The Vision Zero-Safe Systems Approach prioritizes fast access to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to improve the survivability of road users in transportation crashes, especially concerning the recent increase in pedestrian-involved crashes. Pedestrian crashes resulting in immediate or early death are considerably more severe than those taking longer. The time gap between injury and fatality is known as survival time, and it heavily relies on EMS response time. The characteristics of the crash location may be associated with EMS response and survival time. A US Department of Transportation initiative identifies communities often facing challenges. Six disadvantaged community (DAC) indicators, including economy, environment, equity, health, resilience, and transportation access, enable an analysis of how survival and EMS response times vary across DACs and non-DACs. To this end, this study created a unique and comprehensive database by linking DACs data with 2017–2021 pedestrian-involved fatal crashes. This study utilizes two-stage residual inclusion models with segmentation for DACs and non-DACs accounting for the endogenous relationship between EMS response and pedestrian survival time. The results indicate that EMS response time is higher and pedestrian survival time is lower in DACs than in non-DACs. A delayed EMS response time is associated with a greater reduction in survival time in DACs compared to non-DACs. Factors, e.g., nighttime and interstate crashes, contribute to higher EMS response time, while pedestrian drugs, driver speeding, and hit-and-run behaviors are associated with a greater reduction in survival time in DACs than non-DACs. The implications of the findings are discussed in the paper.

POLICY ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SMART MOBILITY IN THE SOUTH TANGERANG CITY, INDONESIA BASED ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION USING THE PROMETHEE METHOD

The increase in population density and mobility in certain urban areas has underscored the need for a smart mobility concept. As a component of the broader smart city framework, smart mobility aims to enhance transportation services, making them more accessible, safe, comfortable, efficient, and affordable for the public. This research assesses the readiness for implementing public transportation-based smart mobility in South Tangerang and develops a policy strategy model for its transportation planning and development. The study employed a mixed-method approach, incorporating multivariate analysis and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis. The findings reveal that South Tangerang is currently unprepared to implement smart mobility, as indicated by low scores on its assessment indicators. Recommended policies include improving the availability, security, and comfort of public transportation, reorganizing transit routes, providing real-time information access, adjusting schedules, and promoting bicycle use by adding bicycle lanes. This research highlights the current state of transportation systems in developing countries and emphasizes the importance of implementing policies that benefit a wide segment of the population.

Key Factors of Urban Public Transportation Services Implementation in Indonesia: A Knowledge Management Perspectives

It is well-recognized that the availability of public transportation has a significant impact on urban transportation networks. In Indonesia, the government is still having difficulties to establish a reliable public transportation system. One important aspect that can be utilized in establishing a reliable public transportation system is to utilize knowledge management in its services. This study aims to identify key factors from knowledge management perspectives related to the implementation of public transportation services. To achieve this objective, this study conducted qualitative research on 12 users of public transportation services in Indonesia. The results of this study indicate that there are several key factors related to the implementation of public transportation services from knowledge management perspectives, such as Real-Time Information, Digital Accessibility, User Engagement and Trust, Platform Functionality and Quality, Digital Inclusive Strategy, Knowledge Dissemination Method, Help Desk Reliability, and Knowledgeable Officer.