Accessibility planning in American metropolitan areas: Are we there yet?

Abstract

Transportation-planning researchers have long argued that the end goal of a transportation system is increasing accessibility, or opportunities for individuals to meet their daily needs, but that US practice tends to focus on increasing mobility, or opportunities to travel farther and faster. This study finds evidence that the gap between theory and practice may be closing when it comes to accessibility, but that significant barriers still exist to the wider adoption of the accessibility paradigm among metropolitan planning organisations, the main entities responsible for regional transportation planning in the USA. We measure this gap by creating an accessibility index based on content analysis of a nationally representative sample of 42 US regional transportation plans (RTPs). We then use regression-tree analysis to determine the characteristics of metropolitan areas that are most likely to employ accessibility concepts. Finally, we identify barriers to a wider adoption of the accessibility paradigm. Most RTPs include accessibility-related goals, but few define the term or use accessibility-oriented performance measures. The lack of clarity on accessibility leaves vehicle speed as the fundamental criterion for success in most plans. Our analysis finds that MPOs serving large regions with high per capita income are the most likely to produce plans that focus on accessibility. We argue that such places produce more accessibility-oriented RTPs because they have greater planning capacity and recommend changes to federal planning guidelines that could speed the adoption of the accessibility paradigm in RTPs.

Opening the door to social equity: local and participatory approaches to transportation planning in Montreal

“…For example, in the UK, although the federal government has set up a transport and social exclusion agenda to be taken up by all levels of governments, a recent study suggested that transport-related social exclusion is poorly considered by local transport authorities and in local transport plans [1]. Similarly, metropolitan transportation plans around the world are still dominated by mobility indicators, although they increasingly incorporate access-to-destination goals [22,71]. The insights gained from this study provide recommendations on how participatory processes can be improved to contribute to broadening the scope of LTPs in Montreal.…”

“…One reason for this is the dominance of the conventional planning approach, which typically focuses on traffic flows [20][21][22]. The conventional approach, as described by Banister [20], aims at improving traffic fluidity and minimizing travel times.…”

“…At the same time, the rationalization behind travel flows has contributed to the marginalization of the social perspective of mobility [23]. Nowadays, mobility indicators and congestion relief strategies are still predominant in transportation planning [21,22].…”

Multi‐temporal transport network models for accessibility studies

“…According to Anderson, Levinson, and Parthasarathi (2013), accessibility can be used as a measure of the efficiency of a city, since it is a function of both transport network and land use. To Proffitt, Bartholomew, Ewing, and Miller (2019), when it comes to improving accessibility, increasing travel speed is not the only solution. Land-use policies that seek to shorten the distance from origin to destination, allowing individuals to access more opportunities, impact accessibility in a positive way, even when transport is not improved (Proffitt et al, 2019).…”

“…To Proffitt, Bartholomew, Ewing, and Miller (2019), when it comes to improving accessibility, increasing travel speed is not the only solution. Land-use policies that seek to shorten the distance from origin to destination, allowing individuals to access more opportunities, impact accessibility in a positive way, even when transport is not improved (Proffitt et al, 2019). Boisjoly and El-Geneidy (2017) reviewed several transportation plans for metropolitan areas from North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia, and conclude that, although the concept of accessibility dates back to the 1950s, it is a recent tool for transportation planning.…”