Public Transport Accessibility Research Articles

A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF FACTORS AFFECTING HOUSING AFFORDABILITY FOR LOW-INCOME GROUPS IN SUBURBAN AREAS OF JAKARTA, INDONESIA

The suburban areas of Jakarta have been chosen for the provision of subsidized housing to meet the needs of the Low-Income Community (MBR). The affordability level for MBR is a critical consideration in the provision of such housing. Suburban areas offer an advantage over inner-city areas due to relatively lower land prices. As a result, the development of housing for MBR has shifted to Jakarta's suburbs such as Bogor, Tangerang, and Bekasi Regencies. Previous research reviews have identified factors influencing MBR housing affordability, including housing location, housing accessibility, and travel behavior. Aims: This study aims to identify factors influencing Housing MBR affordability in Jakarta's suburban areas, including Tangerang, Bekasi, and Bogor Regencies. Methodology and results: Research variables include housing affordability, housing location, housing accessibility, and travel behavior. The research design uses a survey questionnaire method. The number of respondents from each regency is 40 MBR families residing in subsidized housing, randomly selected. The analysis technique used is multiple linear regression using Smart-PLS software. The study results show that the factors of housing location and travel behavior affect MBR housing affordability, while the accessibility factor does not. Conclusion, significance and impact study: In suburban areas, to make housing affordable for MBR, it is necessary to provide easily accessible, integrated, and affordable public transportation infrastructure; provision of various facilities accessible by walking/cycling; and considering the density of MBR housing to attract various parties to provide facilities.

A study on the image of Guilin’s urban central space from multidimensional views

In the context of high-quality urban development, strengthening the distinct characteristics of the city itself has become a hot topic. This study focuses on the present Guilin’s urban central space as its research object, aiming to explore the characteristics of Guilin city image through three dimensions: traditional method, spatial syntax, and big data analysis. By exploring the differences presented across these dimensions, the study seeks to analyze the influence of human activities on the spatial form of the city. The investigation reveals that the current development of Guilin’s urban central space manifests a diverse cognitive image characterized by large dispersion, small aggregation, and weak systematicity. The influence of natural landscape on the development of city images in Guilin’s urban central space lies in its ability to facilitate the outlanders’ macroscopic cognition of Guilin’s unique landscape characteristics. However, it also hinders the development of the road network in the urban area, resulting in reduced spatial accessibility and cognitive intensity. In short, Guilin’s urban central space requires systematic integration of the development of multiple images in its future development. This approach entails strengthening the accessibility of public transportation and effectively enhancing the coordination of its unique landscape and natural elements with the development of other urban spaces. Moreover, this study attempts to provide insights into the future planning of cities from the perspective of integrated image development. In addition, it represents a pioneering effort to acquire data and analyze methodologies for cognitive research on city morphology and city image.

Improving inclusion for children and young people with a disability in inner-city Melbourne, Australia

Children and young people with a disability experience challenges in accessing urban environments. This study aimed to generate ideas that can help make an inner-city local government area in Melbourne, Australia more inclusive for children and young people with disability. A workshop was held with children and young people self-identifying as having a disability (n = 5) and their parents and guardians (n = 4). Participants brainstormed ideas in response to a prompt centred on ways that Melbourne's inner-city could be made more inclusive for children and young people with a disability. A qualitative analysis of the ideas was undertaken. Ideas common across both groups included the need for adequate and disability-appropriate communication, the provision of pedestrian infrastructure, and accessible public transport. The study's findings have direct relevance for policy makers, informing upcoming policy in the local municipality. The value of research/policy/lived experience-collaborations for local policy improvement is clear, as they provide an opportunity to draw upon a range of perspectives to identify and address local challenges, while also informing larger-scale projects and initiatives in other cities. Through such collaborations, it is possible to tailor infrastructure and accessibility improvements to the specific needs of local communities, resulting in more effective and equitable policy outcomes.

Carsharing in China: Impact of system and urban factors on usage and efficiency

The carsharing service has experienced significant growth over the past few years in China, yet few studies have scrutinized the multi-city variations of this service. Using carsharing data from 61 cities in China, we analyzed the usage and efficiency of each city and investigated the impact of system and urban factors on the service performance. The study reveals vast differences in carsharing supply and demand across Chinese cities. Our results show the parking station density and the parking lot to vehicle ratio of the carsharing system are positively related to the usage. Urban factors such as public transportation availability, educational attainment levels, and vehicle restriction policies, are found to have significantly positive associations with the carsharing usage. However, no urban factors demonstrate significant associations with the efficiency measured by vehicle utilization rate. Moreover, the presence of other competing carsharing services within a city exhibits a positive impact on the performance of carsharing systems. This study also examined nonlinear effects of the factors. It provides valuable insights into the management of carsharing services in China, which can inform policy-making and operational strategies for sustainable development of carsharing.

Transport accessibility and hospital attributes: A nonlinear analysis of their impact on Women's prenatal care seeking behavior

Ensuring women receive vital prenatal care is crucial for maternal and newborn health. Limited research explores factors influencing prenatal care-seeking from a geospatial perspective. This study, based on a substantial Wuhan dataset (23,947 samples), investigates factors influencing prenatal care-seeking, focusing on transport accessibility and hospital attributes. Findings indicate a nuanced relationship: (1) A non-linear trend, resembling an inverted “U,” reveals the complex interplay between transport accessibility, hospital attributes, and prenatal care visits. Hospital attributes have a more pronounced impact than transport accessibility. (2) Interaction analysis underscores that lower prenatal care visits relate to low-income and education levels, despite reasonable public transport accessibility. (3) Spatial disparities are significant, with suburban areas facing increased obstacles compared to urban areas, particularly for those in suburban rural areas. This study enhances understanding by emphasizing threshold effects and spatial heterogeneity, offering valuable perspectives for refining prenatal care policies and practices.

BUS KARO!: Live Bus Tracking System

Abstract: This research paper introduces 'BusKaro!', a transformative solution aimed at enhancing public transportation accessibility and promoting environmental sustainability. In the context of pressing global concerns regarding climate change and pollution, the imperative to transition from private vehicles to public transport is underscored. However, the efficiency and reliability of public transportation systems, particularly in densely populated urban areas, remain significant challenges. 'BusKaro!' addresses these challenges by leveraging advanced GPS technology to provide real-time tracking of buses, enabling users to access accurate information about bus locations and schedules. Beyond mere convenience, 'BusKaro!' offers a comprehensive platform that empowers commuters with features such as route planning, nearby bus stop location, and service disruption alerts. Moreover, 'BusKaro!' serves as a catalyst for broader societal change. By promoting the use of public transport, it contributes to reducing traffic congestion, lowering carbon emissions, and fostering sustainable urban environments. Through a detailed examination of its design, implementation, and potential impacts, this paper elucidates the transformative potential of 'BusKaro!' in shaping the future of transportation systems. Case studies and analysis further highlight the tangible benefits of adopting 'BusKaro!' for cities and commuters alike, illustrating its role as a pivotal tool in the journey towards a more sustainable future.

Prospects and Challenges of E-Rickshaws in Urban Transportation Systems of Bangladesh: A Case Study of Rangpur City Corporation

The availability of public transportation is frequently insufficient and the quality of the services is quite low in many cities of developing country. This is mostly because of the growing discrepancy between the supply and demand for transportation infrastructure and the provision of services. As a result, E-rickshaws (battery-operated electric three-wheelers locally termed as Auto/Easy bike) have emerged as a form of para-transit/informal public transport in many developing country cities and providing flexible and demand-responsive services to users. E-rickshaws are becoming one of the main travel modes and playing a crucial role in urban mobility because bus-based or formal public transportation is lacking in many medium- and small-sized cities in Bangladesh. This study made an effort to answer how E-rickshaws might function in the future when public bus service will be launched in a mixed traffic situation of Bangladesh. Rangpur in Bangladesh was selected as the representative of developing country cities for conducting the case study. This study is generally based on primary survey because the E-rickshaw is a new concept in urban transport. Primary data were collected at different road intersections and some temporary E-rickshaw stands in Rangpur City (as no permanent E-rickshaw stand in the city). Basically, the data was collected by Questionnaires Survey with E-rickshaw Drivers and Users; Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with E-rickshaw union members and Key Informants Interview (KII) with local authorities who are concerned with E-rickshaws. The driver-owned, operational E-rickshaw has an income-investment ratio of 1.45 and generates an average daily income of BDT 850. According to the survey, 81% of the drivers of E-rickshaws agreed that their current financial situation or income is better than it was when they worked in another or previous occupation. Compared with other travel modes, commuters are very satisfied with the quality of E-rickshaw services. Based on study findings it may be concluded that the E-rickshaw is a potential future-proof means of transportation. Public transport planning should include E-rickshaw in providing services which may not be catered by the formal public transport. The conclusions drawn from this case study is that locations may be applied to other places in the country or cities where rickshaws are a significant source of informal public transportation.

Assessment of the accessibility of public transport in the Tricity (Poland): analytical use of geographical information systems (GIS) in the context of selected public transport measures

ABSTRACT The Tricity consists of three coastal cities – Gdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot – which also form the core of the Tricity agglomeration. They are among the main development centres of the country. Proper access to public transport for residents is crucial for the sustainable development of the agglomeration. Although the cities are connected by functional links in different areas, the further development of a coherent public transport system is problematic. It is therefore crucial to formulate the question of how these cities can develop the public (collective) transport network? Do residents have access to it and does it meet their needs? Are these measures complementary? A proprietary methodological approach using QGIS and ORS tools was used to conduct the survey. The results of the survey show that 83.5% of Tri-City residents have the nearest train, bus, tram or trolleybus stop within a 5-minute walk of their place of residence. This is followed by 14.39% of residents having a stop within 10 min, 1.47% within 15 min and 0.20% within 20 min. Unfavourable time accessibility applies to 0.45% of residents. The findings of the study may help Tricity local authorities to develop a sustainable public transport policy.

Unlocking Urban Accessibility: Proximity Analysis in Bangkok, Thailand’s Mega City

Accessibility serves as the fundamental link for mode shifts, enabling access to activity areas and facilitating connections to other forms of travel. However, navigating the transportation network in urban areas of Bangkok, Thailand, reveals persistent inconveniences, discomfort, and safety concerns, thereby failing to adequately meet the needs of users. This study aims to examine urban accessibility, focusing on multi-travel connections to amenities and public transport. It focuses on understanding how the level of engagement of road users in social activities contributes to well-being by addressing proximity access through a multidisciplinary approach aimed at enhancing accessibility and integrating the built environment. The comprehensive and inclusive Accessibility by Proximity Index (API) is proposed as a tool to evaluate the level of access to essential services and activities for residents. Additionally, this study acknowledges the impact of the physical and utilization characteristics of urban space and active trajectories by considering various travel needs and daily route patterns. Consequently, the API can inform the development of planning and urban design strategies aimed at enhancing walkability and cycling as non-motorization infrastructures, thereby improving accessibility through active modes of transportation. It was observed that areas with a higher concentration of urban amenities exhibit greater accessibility by walking, cycling, and public transport, particularly in inner-city areas. Thus, envisioning a more sustainable and inclusive city with adequate development of public transportation access is essential in urban areas, prompting policy-level initiatives to enhance the environment and elevate the overall commuting experience.

Smart rest area development to support tourist trip in limited access transport area. Study in the Dieng area, Central Java

The concept of cluster development has characteristics that are identical to tourism activities. Based on the Master Plan for the KSPN Dieng and its Surroundings, the Dieng Plateau is developed with several development strategies, namely the development and strengthening of local potential-based tourist attractions in a sustainable manner, increasing regional carrying capacity and the participation of local communities to support tourism, as well as developing cross-sectoral and regional policies. Accessibility in the Dieng area and its surroundings is supported by road and the availability of public transport. However, accessibility to the Dieng area, which is in an enclaved area, still faces limitations and causes the time and distance to be quite long. Proposal are taken to develop a rest area with many functions. As in Japan, the concept of “michinoeki” or roadside station was developed to provide comfortable facilities for tourists while resting on their way to main attractions or even making “michinoeki” one of the tourist destinations.

Public Transport Accessibility Policy for Disabled Batam City in the Concept of Sustainable Transportation

This study evaluates sustainable transportation development in Batam City, focusing on the accessibility of public transportation for persons with disabilities as a sustainability indicator. Utilizing qualitative research methods, primary data were collected through interviews, complemented by secondary data from various sources such as Department of Transportation reports, Batam City Government documents, and online media. Data analysis employed triangulation, supported by Vosviewer Tools for processing secondary data. Findings reveal inadequate transportation accessibility services for people with disabilities in Batam City. Effectiveness, efficiency, adequacy, and equality for this demographic remain suboptimal, indicating a lack of sustainable and inclusive approaches. Regional regulations concerning disabilities are not fully implemented, and there's a lack of management strategies for transportation or Transport Demand Management tailored to assist people with disabilities. The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system's ineffectiveness hampers transportation connectivity, exacerbating access challenges. Essential disability facilities like ramps and bell signals are unevenly provided, while the limited number of special seats creates difficulties in prioritizing pregnant women and the elderly. Consequently, the current serviceability access falls short of meeting the standard needs of people with disabilities, as envisioned in Sustainable Transportation frameworks.

Spatial Analysis of Bike-Sharing Ridership for Sustainable Transportation in Houston, Texas

This study aims to analyze bike-sharing information and related urban factors to promote bike-sharing utilization in Houston, Texas. The research was initiated with a descriptive analysis, where the hourly and daily variations in bike demand are investigated, thereby revealing the time-related patterns of bike tours. The models included data on socio-demographics, public transportation availability, land use patterns, tree canopy coverage, bike routes, and job density within 0.25-mile and 0.5-mile buffer zones around each bike-sharing station. Stepwise regression was utilized to examine the effects of urban factors on bike-sharing ridership, and the explanatory power of the model was enhanced by selecting meaningful variables. The analysis found that tree canopy coverage was a significant factor in influencing bike-sharing ridership. Expansion of tree coverage can help make biking a sustainable mode of transportation. These findings have the potential to guide the development of practical policies that aim to promote sustainable urban mobility through bike-sharing programs.

Quality of Life Dependence on Public Transport Accessibility

Purpose. Article present the survey on dependency of quality-of-life indicators with transport accessibility. Specific focus is on rural areas. There was hypothesis to prove, that inhabitants of low population density rural areas are facing poor quality-of-life. Design/Methodology/Approach. A representative survey of the population was chosen as the research method. The study area was divided into transport districts, and the representativeness of the survey was ensured in each transport district. Transport districts are divided according to the criterion of travel time and public transport supply. The survey included questions that allowed checking whether and which quality of life parameters correlate with the quality of public services. Findings and implications. The research found that public transport accessibility is closely related with such attributes as education, employment rate and closely related to such attributes of life quality as change of clothes more often or having the proper shoes more often as well as having Internet access. Limitations. The study was conducted in just one country with a very high level of car ownership, which is still growing. Another limitation is that the public transport supply in this country is insufficient due to historical reasons. For a long time, public transport was unsubsidized or weakly subsidized in this country. Originality. The originality of the paper is based on a representative survey conducted by the authors, the results of which linked quality of life indicators with public transport availability indicators. The originality of the work is based on a representative survey conducted by the authors, the results of which linked quality of life indicators with public transport availability indicators.

Co-evolution of public transport access and ridership

While transport infrastructure and travel demand are known to be correlated, their causal relationship has not been systematically investigated. Granger causality tests have been conducted in the context of transport infrastructure and economic growth, and land use and transport. This research extends their application to network investments and travel demand by examining the co-evolution of public transport access and ridership in the Greater Sydney region for a period spanning over a century, from 1855 onward. We hypothesise a mutual feedback between public transport ridership and access, and corroborate the hypothesis in all causal models estimated – between aggregate public transport ridership and access, station ridership and access, and mesh block public transport shares and access. The causality was more evident in disaggregate models and was stronger between ridership and access to jobs than with access to population when employment data were available. Ours is the first longitudinal investigation into the causal relationship between public transport access and ridership. The findings strengthen the case for using access as a planning measure and lay the groundwork for evolutionary strategic transport modelling.

Enhancing school to public transportation accessibility in Solo City: A comprehensive assessment of Batik Solo Trans (BST) bus stop locations

This study primarily aims to evaluate the affordability of Batik Solo Trans (BST) bus stops to school locations within Solo City and to develop a strategic placement plan for enhancing student accessibility throughout the city. The criteria for optimal placement adhere to the Minister of Public Works Regulations, which dictate that bus stops should be within a 400-meter radius or a 10-minute travel time for pedestrians. The research employs a comprehensive methodology, including a census of existing BST bus stops and high schools in Solo City. Using ArcGIS 10.2, we employ Buffer Proximity Analysis and Network Analysis to identify potential new bus stop sites, followed by quantitative and descriptive analysis of the results. The study’s findings reveal that BST bus stop accessibility to high schools in Solo City stands at an impressive 94%, with 350 out of 175 high schools having convenient access to 165 BST bus stop locations. In order to address accessibility gaps, the research suggests integrating 16 additional bus stops, especially at notable high school locations such as SMP Muhammadiyah PK Campus II, SMPN 18 Surakarta, and MAN 1 Surakarta. The proposed strategy aims to achieve full coverage with enhanced accessibility, visualized through cartographic representation.

Triggers for feelings of insecurity and perceptions of safety in relation to public transport; the experiences of young and active travellers

ABSTRACT A key aspect of an attractive and accessible public transport system is that passengers feel safe and secure, not least from a travel chain perspective. The aim of this paper is to provide an increased understanding of triggers for feelings of insecurity and perceptions of safety in relation to public transport, with a special focus on larger public transport nodes in the city of Malmö, Sweden. The study draws on a map-based online survey (public participatory GIS) which was designed to allow people to contribute their experiences and reflections. An online survey was distributed through social media, and the collected data is of both a quantitative and a qualitative nature. The sample consists of 290 students and workers between the ages of 21–35 who frequently use public transport. The findings show that one in ten respondents have often to very often avoided public transport because of feelings of insecurity. Thematic analysis revealed a variety of triggers, covering aspects from the physical dimension to the social dimension. Some examples include the design of bus stops, the surrounding traffic environment, and other people. The presence of guards and the police force seems to increase the feelings of insecurity for some, while the opposite was true for other respondents. The findings emphasize the importance of further research to illuminate different parts of a journey at a micro level, i.e. from the person-environment relationship, as well as to further highlight the issue of who transit environments are planned and designed for.

Оценка обеспеченности территории Санкт-Петербурга наземным общественным транспортом с использованием геопространственного подхода

The authors propose a method for evaluating the public transport accessibility of a city, based on the spatial distribution of real estate and commercial property in its territory, it enables making a rating table of routes and stops. The relevance of the study is related to the high social importance of mass transit, since its accessibility creates a more comfortable urban environment and offers new opportunities to the residents. The significant growth of research on this topic is a result of the social need to improve the use of urban space. The rapid development in the field of big data processing makes it much more relevant to the real situation than any previous models. However, researchers often lack up-to-date information on the distribution of the population in a given territory, because the concept of state open spatial data in Russia is currently in its early stages, and city authorities may decide to make it confidential. The proposed quantitative approach to assessing the provision of urban areas with land transportation means is based on using spatial data available in open sources, as well as methods of geospatial analysis and modelling. It is used to study the public transport in St. Petersburg, RF; the technique has enabled identifying the main municipal routes as well as the parts of the city requiring network expansion

Measuring public transport accessibility to fixed activities and discretionary opportunities: a space–time approach

The Space–Time Accessibility (STA) model is broadly used to measure person-based accessibility based on the space, time, and transport constraints experienced at the individual level in connection to the actual modal choices of observed individuals. In this paper, we propose to adjust the STA model (by introducing a so-called PT-STA model) with three core purposes: (1) focusing on public transport accessibility specifically, (2) measuring accessibility to both fixed activities and discretionary opportunities, and (3) integrating travel-time thresholds in the accessibility measurement. These three elements aim to make the PT-STA model a suitable tool to evaluate the impacts of public transport interventions on person-based accessibility and extend the evaluation of public transport accessibility to its fixed and discretionary dimensions. The PT-STA model is tested with a sample of 118 residents of the rural municipality of Mühlwald (South Tyrol, Italy). Results show that the accessibility to fixed activities and discretionary opportunities are limitedly correlated. It is possible to identify people with high accessibility to fixed activities and poor access to discretionary opportunities (typically pensioners and homemakers living in remote locations) and vice versa (e.g. people with articulated rural–urban commutes but daily visiting locations with several amenities). These results preliminarily confirm the importance of combining both accessibility dimensions in the PT-STA model since they tell complementary and not overlapped stories that are relevant for policymakers to evaluate the pros and cons of alternative public transport interventions.

Active Labour Market Policies for Rural NEETs in Lithuania: A Case of Rural Municipalities

This article aims to analyse active labour market policy efficiency for rural young NEETs integration into the labour market in the socioeconomic context of rural municipalities in Lithuania. For the empirical analysis, the administrative data of the public employment service concerning active labour market policy measures, e.g., training and mobility support, subsidised employment, and support for establishing or adapting workplaces of 2018 and 2022, as well as Lithuanian statistics data of 2018 and 2020 are used. The socio-economic environment of rural municipalities was analysed using the economic indicators (complex index), public transport accessibility, average wage, and free vacancies indicators. The recipient’s integration into employment after six months of participation in active labour market policy measures is analysed. The data revealed poor economic indicators, undeveloped public transport, lower average salaries, and a need for more vacancies in rural municipalities. The integration into employment fell significantly in two rural municipality clusters after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Conflicting regional policy goals: accessibility and segregation in the Helsinki metropolitan area

ABSTRACT Regional land use, housing, and transport (MAL) agreements between the Finnish state and municipalities in growth regions guide urban policy in the Helsinki metropolitan area towards regional cooperation and densification. Alongside economic growth and connectivity goals, segregation prevention is a visible but ill-defined social sustainability goal in these agreements, and anti-segregation measures lean heavily on providing new social housing in accessible locations. This tool, in turn, leans on a combination of social mixing, a traditional preventive tool in fighting segregation, and a new tool, maximising spatial justice through transit-oriented development. We argue that there is a discrepancy between these goals: while on an individual level, public transport accessibility is meant to reduce transport poverty and provide equal opportunities for employment and services, accessible areas fare lower than others in socioeconomic status. Therefore, increasing social rental housing in areas with lower socioeconomic status may unintentionally amplify segregation. This article asks how actors of different governance levels view concentrating social housing in accessible locations as a risk to segregation. Interviews show a concern of social challenges not being sufficiently addressed.