The impact of the walking environment on the use of public transportation by the transportation vulnerable

Abstract

Transportation-disadvantaged people experience difficulties and inconveniences due to low satisfaction and low safety in the walking environment that provides access to public transportation. The purpose of this study is to examine how the walking environment can affect the use of public transportation by them, discussing the social meaning of public transportation use. Multi-regression analyses were conducted using the number of public transportation use and walking environment, which was divided into the walking satisfaction, the suitability of installation of mobility convenience facilities for the transportation vulnerable, and pedestrian safety. According to the analysis results, the higher the walking satisfaction, suitability for installing the facilities, and pedestrian safety, the higher the number of public transportations uses. For the transportation vulnerable, the impact of walking satisfaction on public transportation use was greater. Especially walking satisfaction for the visually impaired, the suitability of installation of the facilities for the visually or hearing impaired, and pedestrian safety for the physically disabled, pregnant women, or child companion had a greater impact on the use of public transportation. To guarantee the convenience of transportation for the vulnerable, efforts should be made to improve the walking environment in various aspects along with the expansion of public transportation.