Measuring transport equity: Key components, framings and metrics
01 Jan 2019-pp 13-36
TL;DR: In this article, the authors recommend that the development of equity indicators should account for three components: (i) the benefits and burdens of interest, (ii) the population groups over which they are distributed; and (iii) a clear conception of what a "morally proper distribution" of benefit or burden should be.
Abstract: In this chapter, we recommend that the development of equity indicators should account for three components: (i) the benefits and burdens of interest, (ii) the population groups over which they are distributed; and (iii) a clear conception of what a “morally proper distribution” of benefit or burden should be. We present a simple framework of how to move from a general conceptualization of a benefit or burden to a more precise definition of suitable individual variables that can be subjected to an equity analysis. The assessment of equity also hinges on the identification of different population groups, along multiple dimensions that can represent advantage or disadvantage: income, gender, age, ethnicity, ability, and residential location. We end the chapter with an overview of the linchpin of an equity indicator: an explicit normative standard specifying what is desirable and what is not. Taken together, these three components are the ingredients of the equity indicators presented in the remaining chapters of this book.
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors introduce the Spatial and Social Equity Railway Indexes (SpREi and SoREI) to assess the variation in travel times, number of connections, prices and population affected by these changes.
Abstract: The introduction of High-Speed Railways (HSRs) redefines the connections between main territorial hubs, by reducing the travel times and guaranteeing better accessibility. Such infrastructures bring advantages in terms of travel performances, but have also some drawbacks especially for those, generally, mid-size cities that are downgraded. This paper introduces the Spatial and Social Equity Railway Indexes (SpREi and SoREI) to assess the variation in travel times, number of connections, prices and population affected by these changes. Such indexes are then applied in the north-western part of Italy (between the regions of Piedmont and Liguria) to analyse the performances of Alessandria and Asti, two cities that were part of the previous main line Turin-Rome, but have been downgraded to a secondary line after the opening of the new HSR. Their SpREI and SoREI reveal that, despite a slight reduction of travel times, the number of direct connections has decreased with a significant increase in ticket prices. Such performances are then compared to Turin and Genoa, the two main territorial hubs, revealing contradictory results: on the one hand, Turin has registered a performance boost in terms of accessibility and variations in ticket prices. On the other hand, Genoa has seen a low increase in fares and in the number of available connections, whereas average travel times have even increased, thus confirming that the introduction of HSRs may generate inequalities in the territorial connections and hence possible need of compensation by policy makers.
34 citations
TL;DR: Wang et al. as discussed by the authors explored commuting inequity and its determinants using big-data analytics, with Shanghai serving as a case study, and found the top 20% of commuters in Shanghai, who accounted for about 78,000 of the cardholders, spent more than 60min commuting each way daily.
32 citations
TL;DR: A five-step guideline for transport authorities and analysts to identify the set of criticality metrics to use which best aligns with the nature of their policy questions is proposed.
31 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors identify spatial gaps in public transit service in seven medium-sized Brazilian cities by analyzing the relative accessibility of public transit and private automobiles for travel to central business districts (CBDs), which are primary employment and service centers.
19 citations
01 Mar 2012
TL;DR: In this article, the authors proposed a context-sensitive transportation affordability analysis framework that differentiates population groups based upon their socio-demographics, the built environment, and the policy environment.
Abstract: Transportation affordability refers to the financial burden households bear in purchasing transportation services. Traditional measures, which focus on what share of household disposable income or total budget goes to transportation services, often fail to consider the wide variation in households’ transportation needs and locational settings. In this project, the authors propose a contextualized transportation affordability analysis framework that differentiates population groups based upon their socio-demographics, the built environment, and the policy environment. The necessity of such a context-sensitive framework is demonstrated via a case study of the Twin Cities metropolitan area, which shows heterogeneity among different population groups in terms of their transportation needs and resource availability. The proposed context-sensitive framework points to two dilemmas associated with transportation affordability. First, the socio-economically disadvantaged group has the lowest auto ownership rate, yet its transportation needs are better served by automobiles. Second, while automobiles can reduce transportation hardship for the socio-economically disadvantaged, the existing auto-oriented urban landscape in the U.S. requires more travel for access to destinations, which leads to higher transportation costs. The dilemmas call for a multi-modal transportation solution: reducing societal auto dependence and providing financial subsidies for car access among disadvantaged populations are equally important to enhance transportation affordability and social welfare.
17 citations
References
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Abstract: This paper discusses the selection of indicators for comprehensive and sustainable transportation planning. It discusses the concept of sustainability and the role of indicators in planning, describes factors to consider in selecting indicators, identifies potential problems with conventional indicators, describes examples of indicators, and provides recommendations for selecting indicators for use in a particular situation.
434 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present the case that traditional transport appraisal methods do not sufficiently capture the social dimensions of mobility and accessibility and propose a method to assess the socially relevant accessibility impacts (SRAIs) of policies in some of these key dimensions.
Abstract: In this paper, we present the case that traditional transport appraisal methods do not sufficiently capture the social dimensions of mobility and accessibility. However, understanding this is highly relevant for policymakers to understand the impacts of their transport decisions. These dimensions include the distribution of mobility and accessibility levels over particular areas or for specific population groups, as well as how this may affect various social outcomes, including their levels of participation, social inclusion and community cohesion. In response, we propose a method to assess the socially relevant accessibility impacts (SRAIs) of policies in some of these key dimensions. The method combines the use of underlying ethics principles, more specifically the theories of egalitarianism and sufficientarianism, in combination with accessibility-based analysis and the Lorenz curve and Gini index. We then demonstrate the method in a case study example. Our suggestion is that policymakers can use these ethical perspectives to determine the equity of their policies decisions and to set minimum standards for local transport delivery. This will help them to become more confident in the development and adoption of new decision frameworks that promote accessibility over mobility and which also disaggregate the costs and benefits of transport policies over particular areas or for specific under-served population groups.
284 citations
TL;DR: The tradition of "blaming the victim" is hereby questioned and focus is put on the need for professionals to act based on new standards for road- and street design, based on some of the principles in Vision Zero.
226 citations
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156 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors provide a framework for constructing and applying quantitative livability and sustainability indicators in transportation policy and planning, and discuss methods for capturing local context, a critical feature for transportation planning.
94 citations