IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/jotrge/v108y2023ics0966692323000388.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A composite index for assessing accessibility in urban areas: A case study in Central Athens, Greece

Author

Listed:
  • Mitropoulos, Lambros
  • Karolemeas, Christos
  • Tsigdinos, Stefanos
  • Vassi, Avgi
  • Bakogiannis, Efthimios

Abstract

Effective transportation planning necessitates the consideration of all road network users and their needs. Towards this goal, the integration of accessibility in planning and the development of tools that enable the assessment and measurement of accessibility within urban areas becomes essential. This study aims to contribute to the accessibility assessment process of urban areas by developing two accessibility indices: the infrastructure and the opportunity accessibility index, which use an infrastructure-based and distance-based approach, respectively. Four types of users and their needs are considered: pedestrians, People with Disabilities (PWD), cyclists and public transport users. Data for modeling the accessibility indices are collected by: 1) an infrastructure audit, 2) a user survey, and 3) geographic information systems. The proposed method is applied in a district in central Athens, Greece, which is characterized by high population density and high level of activities. The Infrastructure Accessibility Index (IAI) measures accessibility for sidewalks, crosswalks, bikeways and public transport stops. The IAI results indicate moderate accessibility levels for pedestrians and PWD, for sidewalks and crosswalks. The Opportunity Accessibility Index (OAI) measures the share of different types of users that reach different opportunities within a time threshold. The accepted time threshold per user type is estimated based on the survey responds, for seven different opportunities: green spaces, recreational spaces, education buildings, health buildings, public service building, commercial uses and public transport stops. Compared to the IAI, the majority of users reach different opportunities within the estimated time threshold. The study concludes with recommendations to improve accessibility levels at local level.

Suggested Citation

  • Mitropoulos, Lambros & Karolemeas, Christos & Tsigdinos, Stefanos & Vassi, Avgi & Bakogiannis, Efthimios, 2023. "A composite index for assessing accessibility in urban areas: A case study in Central Athens, Greece," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jotrge:v:108:y:2023:i:c:s0966692323000388
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2023.103566
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0966692323000388
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2023.103566?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Slovic, Anne Dorothée & Tomasiello, Diego Bogado & Giannotti, Mariana & Andrade, Maria de Fatima & Nardocci, Adelaide C., 2019. "The long road to achieving equity: Job accessibility restrictions and overlapping inequalities in the city of São Paulo," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 181-193.
    2. Su, Shiliang & Zhou, Hao & Xu, Mengya & Ru, Hu & Wang, Wen & Weng, Min, 2019. "Auditing street walkability and associated social inequalities for planning implications," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 62-76.
    3. Bocarejo S., Juan Pablo & Oviedo H., Daniel Ricardo, 2012. "Transport accessibility and social inequities: a tool for identification of mobility needs and evaluation of transport investments," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 24(C), pages 142-154.
    4. Ahmed El-Geneidy & David Levinson, 2022. "Making accessibility work in practice," Transport Reviews, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 42(2), pages 129-133, March.
    5. D. J. Weiss & A. Nelson & H. S. Gibson & W. Temperley & S. Peedell & A. Lieber & M. Hancher & E. Poyart & S. Belchior & N. Fullman & B. Mappin & U. Dalrymple & J. Rozier & T. C. D. Lucas & R. E. Howes, 2018. "A global map of travel time to cities to assess inequalities in accessibility in 2015," Nature, Nature, vol. 553(7688), pages 333-336, January.
    6. Fernando Rubiera-Morollón & Ruben Garrido-Yserte, 2020. "Recent Literature about Urban Sprawl: A Renewed Relevance of the Phenomenon from the Perspective of Environmental Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-14, August.
    7. Tiznado-Aitken, Ignacio & Lucas, Karen & Muñoz, Juan Carlos & Hurtubia, Ricardo, 2020. "Understanding accessibility through public transport users' experiences: A mixed methods approach," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    8. Regine Gerike & Caroline Koszowski & Bettina Schröter & Ralph Buehler & Paul Schepers & Johannes Weber & Rico Wittwer & Peter Jones, 2021. "Built Environment Determinants of Pedestrian Activities and Their Consideration in Urban Street Design," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-21, August.
    9. Anders Larsson & Jerry Olsson, 2017. "Potentials and limitations for the use of accessibility measures for national transport policy goals in freight transport and logistics: evidence from Västra Götaland County, Sweden," REGION, European Regional Science Association, vol. 4, pages 71-92.
    10. Grisé, Emily & Boisjoly, Geneviève & Maguire, Meadhbh & El-Geneidy, Ahmed, 2019. "Elevating access: Comparing accessibility to jobs by public transport for individuals with and without a physical disability," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 280-293.
    11. Albina Mościcka & Krzysztof Pokonieczny & Anna Wilbik & Jakub Wabiński, 2019. "Transport Accessibility of Warsaw: A Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-21, October.
    12. Saghapour, Tayebeh & Moridpour, Sara & Thompson, Russell G., 2016. "Public transport accessibility in metropolitan areas: A new approach incorporating population density," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 273-285.
    13. Karou, Saleem & Hull, Angela, 2014. "Accessibility modelling: predicting the impact of planned transport infrastructure on accessibility patterns in Edinburgh, UK," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 1-11.
    14. Kelly, C.E. & Tight, M.R. & Hodgson, F.C. & Page, M.W., 2011. "A comparison of three methods for assessing the walkability of the pedestrian environment," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 19(6), pages 1500-1508.
    15. Bertolini, L. & le Clercq, F. & Kapoen, L., 2005. "Sustainable accessibility: a conceptual framework to integrate transport and land use plan-making. Two test-applications in the Netherlands and a reflection on the way forward," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 12(3), pages 207-220, May.
    16. Zuo, Ting & Wei, Heng & Rohne, Andrew, 2018. "Determining transit service coverage by non-motorized accessibility to transit: Case study of applying GPS data in Cincinnati metropolitan area," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 1-11.
    17. Kim Dovey & Ian Woodcock & Lucinda Pike, 2017. "Isochrone Mapping of Urban Transport: Car-dependency, Mode-choice and Design Research," Planning Practice & Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 32(4), pages 402-416, August.
    18. Dong, Xiaojing & Ben-Akiva, Moshe E. & Bowman, John L. & Walker, Joan L., 2006. "Moving from trip-based to activity-based measures of accessibility," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 40(2), pages 163-180, February.
    19. HaeLi Kang & Dong Ha Kim & Seunghyun Yoo, 2019. "Attributes of Perceived Bikeability in a Compact Urban Neighborhood Based on Qualitative Multi-Methods," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-16, October.
    20. Massingue, Suzanna Allen & Oviedo, Daniel, 2021. "Walkability and the Right to the city: A snapshot critique of pedestrian space in Maputo, Mozambique," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
    21. Halden, Derek, 2002. "Using accessibility measures to integrate land use and transport policy in Edinburgh and the Lothians," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 9(4), pages 313-324, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ahuja, Richa & Tiwari, Geetam, 2021. "Evolving term “accessibility” in spatial systems: Contextual evaluation of indicators," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 4-11.
    2. Mansour, Shawky & Alahmadi, Mohammed & Abulibdeh, Ammar, 2022. "Spatial assessment of audience accessibility to historical monuments and museums in Qatar during the 2022 FIFA World Cup," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 116-129.
    3. Oviedo, Daniel & Cavoli, Clemence & Levy, Caren & Koroma, Braima & Macarthy, Joseph & Sabogal, Orlando & Arroyo, Fatima & Jones, Peter, 2022. "Accessibility and sustainable mobility transitions in Africa: Insights from Freetown," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 105(C).
    4. Cascetta, Ennio & Cartenì, Armando & Montanino, Marcello, 2016. "A behavioral model of accessibility based on the number of available opportunities," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 45-58.
    5. Juan Pablo Bocarejo & Ingrid Portilla & David Meléndez, 2016. "Social fragmentation as a consequence of implementing a Bus Rapid Transit system in the city of Bogotá," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 53(8), pages 1617-1634, June.
    6. Lopes, Miguel & Dias, Ana Mélice, 2022. "Changing perspectives in times of crisis. The impact of COVID-19 on territorial accessibility," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 285-301.
    7. Bocarejo, Juan Pablo & Portilla, Ingrid Joanna & Velásquez, Juan Miguel & Cruz, Mónica Natalia & Peña, Andrés & Oviedo, Daniel Ricardo, 2014. "An innovative transit system and its impact on low income users: the case of the Metrocable in Medellín," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 49-61.
    8. Guzman, Luis A. & Cantillo-Garcia, Victor A. & Oviedo, Daniel & Arellana, Julian, 2023. "How much is accessibility worth? Utility-based accessibility to evaluate transport policies," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    9. (Ato) Xu, Wangtu & Zhou, Jiangping & Yang, Linchuan & Li, Ling, 2018. "The implications of high-speed rail for Chinese cities: Connectivity and accessibility," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 308-326.
    10. Soteropoulos, Aggelos & Mitteregger, Mathias & Berger, Martin & Zwirchmayr, Jakob, 2020. "Automated drivability: Toward an assessment of the spatial deployment of level 4 automated vehicles," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 64-84.
    11. Giannotti, Mariana & Tomasiello, Diego B. & Bittencourt, Taina A., 2022. "The bias in estimating accessibility inequalities using gravity-based metrics," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    12. Vergel-Tovar, C. Erik & Leape, Jonathan & Villegas Carrasquilla, Mónica & Peñas Arana, Maria Claudia & Toro Gonzalez, Daniel & Canon Rubiano, Leonardo & Salas Barón, Eliana & Martinez, Paulo, 2022. "Mapping the transit network of greater Cartagena with mobile phones: Coverage, accessibility, and informality," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 105(C).
    13. Freiberg, Germán & Giannotti, Mariana & Bittencourt, Taina A., 2024. "Are mass transit projects and public transport planning overlooking uneven distributional effects? Empirical evidence from Sao Paulo, Brazil," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    14. Nichols, Aaron & Ryan, Jean & Palmqvist, Carl-William, 2024. "The importance of recurring public transport delays for accessibility and mode choice," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    15. Wulfhorst, Gebhard & Büttner, Benjamin & Ji, Chenyi, 2017. "The TUM Accessibility Atlas as a tool for supporting policies of sustainable mobility in metropolitan regions," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 121-136.
    16. Straatemeier, Thomas, 2008. "How to plan for regional accessibility," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 15(2), pages 127-137, March.
    17. Pizzol, Bruna & Giannotti, Mariana & Tomasiello, Diego Bogado, 2021. "Qualifying accessibility to education to investigate spatial equity," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).
    18. Falchetta, G. & Noussan, M. & Hammad, A.T., 2021. "Comparing paratransit in seven major African cities: An accessibility and network analysis," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    19. Guzman, Luis A. & Oviedo, Daniel & Rivera, Carlos, 2017. "Assessing equity in transport accessibility to work and study: The Bogotá region," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 236-246.
    20. Varvara Nikulina & David Simon & Henrik Ny & Henrikke Baumann, 2019. "Context-Adapted Urban Planning for Rapid Transitioning of Personal Mobility towards Sustainability: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-37, February.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:jotrge:v:108:y:2023:i:c:s0966692323000388. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-transport-geography .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.