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The Spatial Accessibility of High-Capacity Public Transport Networks—The Premise of Sustainable Development

Author

Listed:
  • Vasile Dragu

    (Faculty of Transports, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica, 060042 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Aura Ruscă

    (Faculty of Transports, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica, 060042 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Mircea Augustin Roşca

    (Faculty of Transports, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica, 060042 Bucharest, Romania)

Abstract

At the present time, the increase in the level of motorization has led to levels of congestion that are difficult for the inhabitants of large cities to bear, with negative implications on quality of life. Solving the problem of congestion can no longer be achieved just by expanding and developing the networks; other solutions must be found that fit the requirements of the sustainable development of society. One of the solutions that is becoming more and more promoted today is that of increasing the degree of use of high-capacity public transport networks. For this, the network must serve a surface as large as possible of the territory, and the operating conditions must deal with transport requests with a varied structure and with different intensities in short time intervals. The paper aims to review several models of the topological accessibility of transport networks and to analyze how the Bucharest metro network serves the territory, after the last extension carried out in 2020. It is noted that only 56% of the city’s surface is currently covered by the metro network, while the city is in a continuous territorial expansion. Through the case study presented in the paper, the accessibility of some points of interest for Bucharest residents who use the metro network is also determined. At the end, there are formulated conclusions regarding the development and territorial coverage of the metro network and proposals for further developments, so that the services offered can benefit as many of Bucharest’s residents as possible.

Suggested Citation

  • Vasile Dragu & Aura Ruscă & Mircea Augustin Roşca, 2025. "The Spatial Accessibility of High-Capacity Public Transport Networks—The Premise of Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-25, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:1:p:343-:d:1560623
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    References listed on IDEAS

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