Transportation disadvantage impedance indexing: A methodological approach to reduce policy shortcomings

Abstract

Access to transport systems and the connection to such systems provided to essential economic and social activities are critical to determine households' transportation disadvantage levels. In spite of the developments in better identifying transportation disadvantaged groups, the lack of effective policies resulted in the continuum of the issue as a significant problem. This paper undertakes a pilot case investigation as test bed for a new approach developed to reduce transportation policy shortcomings. The approach, 'disadvantage-impedance index', aims to ease transportation disadvantages by employing representative parameters to measure the differences between policy alternatives run in a simulation environment. Implemented in the Japanese town of Arao, the index uses trip-making behaviour and resident stated preference data. The results of the index reveal that even a slight improvement in accessibility and travel quality indicators makes a significant difference in easing disadvantages. The index, integrated into a four-step model, proves to be highly robust and useful in terms of quick diagnosis in capturing effective actions, and developing potentially efficient policies.

Can Tube Tunnel Crossings Relieve Urban Congestion Problems? Izmir Tube Tunnel Project Proposal Under Scrutiny

“…Lastly, the negligence and lack of adequate focus on sustainable transport investment in Izmir, like in many other cities, has led to a decay in the environmental quality of the city-particularly during the last decades [74,75]. Along with the increasing sustainability problem, transport disadvantage and social exclusion are also becoming major challenges for the city and are directly impacting the wellbeing of residents [76][77][78][79]. We can also add on top of these the lack of adequate travel self-containment solutions in the city [80].…”

Measures of Transport-Related Social Exclusion: A Critical Review of the Literature

“…In other words, transport-related social exclusion does not exist if there is no transport disadvantaged in a society. This does not necessarily mean that all transport disadvantaged groups are socially excluded [151]. However, they are at risk of being excluded due to their lack of ability to travel/access and to participate in activities.…”

Identifying public transport gaps using time-dependent accessibility levels

“…Those patterns were also detected in Santiago de Cali (Columbia) by Jaramillo and colleagues (2012) using a similar methodology. The constructed disadvantage-impedance index by Duvarci et al (2015) aims to counteract transport disadvantages by simulating the effects of potentially efficient policy alternatives in Arao, Japan. Aggregation errors notwithstanding, these studies help to understand the relative spatial scale of public transport shortfalls which can help inform policy makers regarding the spatial prioritization of transport policy actions.…”