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Measurement and Spatial Differentiation Characteristics of Transit Equity: A Case Study of Guangzhou, China

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  • Xiaoshu Cao

    (School of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
    Institute of Transport Geography and Spatial Planning, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710119, China)

  • Huiling Chen

    (School of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China)

  • Feiwen Liang

    (School of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China)

  • Wulin Wang

    (College of Environment and Resources, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China)

Abstract

Urban public transit is an important solution for narrowing the mobility gap between captive riders and choice riders and to address issues of social equity. An equitable transit system essentially could meet the needs of transit dependents and maximize the scope of public transit services. To acquire a better understanding of transit equity, we use Lorenz curves and the GINI coefficient to measure the relative supply of public transit to the population and employ the spatial overlay method to analyze the matching degree of transit supply and demand in Guangzhou, China. The findings show that there are obvious and unequal differences between the levels of transit service in the internal zones. The spatial coverage rate and number of stop services of the outer city are significantly less than that of the inner and middle city. Eighty percent of the population shares only 36.7% of the public transit supply in Guangzhou. Most communities of low-supply and high-need public transit are distributed contiguously in the eastern Baiyun and southern Huadu districts. This distribution pattern is beneficial to the transit agency, which could improve the supply in these areas to avoid the risk caused when a large number of residents lack access to public transit services. The results could serve as an excellent foundation for planning the handling of spatial gaps in the Guangzhou public transit supply.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaoshu Cao & Huiling Chen & Feiwen Liang & Wulin Wang, 2018. "Measurement and Spatial Differentiation Characteristics of Transit Equity: A Case Study of Guangzhou, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-17, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:4:p:1069-:d:139490
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