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Center for Advancing Research in Transportation Emissions, Energy, and Health (CARTEEH)

A USDOT University Transportation Center

Improved Access

Improved access to transport services has been addressed as a metric of social inclusion. The metric indicates that measures have been put in place to reduce social exclusion and promote improved access and social connectivity, verifying that the strategy implemented is effective. It verifies how well the strategy works since it demonstrates that the ready availability of transport services has made it easier for individuals to access essential services, including healthcare services.1 A well-functioning transportation system provides residents with improved access to essential services, increases economic activity and job creation, reduces congestion, and enables individuals to interact socially and connect with one another.2

This indicator helps determine the effectiveness of the following objectives

  • Less Contamination
  • Less Emissions
  • Less Traffic Noise
  • Connectivity and Inclusion
  • Healthy Destinations
  • Less Traffic Violence
  • Active Transportation
  • Green Space

Data Collection

Administrative data provides the required information on the number of individuals with improved access to essential services. Government agencies collect these data sets as part of their everyday operations. For example, agencies that provide essential services, such as healthcare or education, may keep records of the number of individuals who receive those services. These records can estimate the number of individuals accessing essential services.3 Additionally, censuses and other population surveys provide information on the number of individuals in a given area. Population surveys are smaller in scale but can still provide detailed information on the characteristics of a population, including access to essential services.4

Examples

A methodology from the University of Leeds for the incorporation of social inclusion into transport policy

A growing body of evidence demonstrates the positive impact of improved access to public transport on social inclusion. A study by the Institute for Transport Studies at the University of Leeds found that improved access to public transit can lead to increased employment opportunities and reduced social isolation. The study found that people living in areas with good public transport access were more likely to be employed than those with poor access. They were also less likely to experience social isolation and had higher levels of life satisfaction. The study highlights the importance of investment in public transport infrastructure to improve social inclusion. It also highlights the need for policy measures to ensure that public transport is affordable and accessible.

https://www.academia.edu/en/23803016/A_methodology_for_the_incorporation_of_social_inclusion_into_transport_policy

1. Luz, G., Barboza, M.H., da Silva Portugal, L., Giannotti, M., van Wee, B. (2022). Does better accessibility help to reduce social exclusion? Evidence from the City of São Paulo, Brazil. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 166, 186-217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2022.10.005
2. Almorsy, L., Mohamed, K. “Improving Health Care Accessibility: Strategies and Recommendations.” Studies in health technology and informatics vol. 226 (2016): 187-9.
3. Mazzali, Cristina, and Piergiorgio Duca. “Use of administrative data in healthcare research.” Internal and emergency medicine vol. 10,4 (2015): 517-24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11739-015-1213-9
4. US Census Bureau. Current population survey (CPS). 2022 [cited 2022 Aug 19]; Available from: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps.html