Accessibility and methods of its assessment in urban transport systems planning

Abstract

The article discusses the issues of fundamental changes in approaches to planning of urban transport systems. The reasons for the insufficient effectiveness of decisions taken within the framework of urban transport policy are analyzed. A critique of traditional transport planning focused on improving mobility is presented. It is noted that "accessibility" as the goal of cities` formation can be achieved not only by improving the transport system, but also by improving land use and urban planning solutions, changes in the ways of providing services in such areas as trade, health, education, etc. The issues of quantitative assessment of accessibility in urban environment are considered. The approaches to the formation of quantitative accessibility indicators which can be used in urban and transport planning are described. A comprehensive accessibility indicator is proposed based on the use of a gravity model of transport behavior with the inclusion of an impedance function that takes into account the assessment of the quality of services of various modes of urban transport.