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Measuring What Matters: Accessibility Measures to Evaluate Transport-Related Social Exclusion

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  • Luz, Gregorio
  • van Wee, Bert
  • Rodriguez, Daniel A.
  • Pereira, Rafael H. M.
  • Farber, Steven

Abstract

Accessibility measures are widely used to assess transport equity and identify groups at risk of transport-related social exclusion (TRSE). Yet little guidance exists on how to select measures that are both theoretically robust and practically usable, and many researchers and practitioners remain unaware of the implications, biases, and consequences of their methodological choices. This paper proposes an analytical framework that consolidates dispersed arguments in the literature into a single, structured reference for evaluating accessibility measures. Developed through a comprehensive review and validated by an international expert survey, the framework comprises thirteen criteria—ten theoretical and three practical. It clarifies the ideal conditions for assessing TRSE, the trade-offs between theoretical rigor and practical feasibility, and the biases that arise from different methodological decisions. Rather than prescribing a single ideal measure, the framework makes explicit the assumptions, strengths, and limitations underlying different approaches, supporting more transparent and context-sensitive TRSE evaluations.

Suggested Citation

  • Luz, Gregorio & van Wee, Bert & Rodriguez, Daniel A. & Pereira, Rafael H. M. & Farber, Steven, 2025. "Measuring What Matters: Accessibility Measures to Evaluate Transport-Related Social Exclusion," SocArXiv 9rsgu_v1, Center for Open Science.
    • Handle: RePEc:osf:socarx:9rsgu_v1
    DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/9rsgu_v1
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Pot, Felix Johan & van Wee, Bert & Tillema, Taede, 2021. "Perceived accessibility: What it is and why it differs from calculated accessibility measures based on spatial data," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    2. Kelobonye, Keone & Zhou, Heng & McCarney, Gary & Xia, Jianhong (Cecilia), 2020. "Measuring the accessibility and spatial equity of urban services under competition using the cumulative opportunities measure," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
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