Development of an aggregate indicator for evaluating sustainable urban mobility in the City of Xanthi, Greece

Abstract

This paper aims to evaluate urban transport sustainability in the city of Xanthi through the development of an aggregate weighted index as well as to propose an action plan towards sustainable mobility. The proposed aggregated index is based on 30 indicators that assess the sustainability of the environmental, economic and social components of urban mobility. The indicators were calculated by: (a) conducting a public opinion survey on the quality of urban transport system based on a sample of 67 citizens, (b) performing spatial data analysis with geographical information systems and (c) studying the approved local spatial plans and transport studies. The weighting technique used considers the relative significance of the selected sustainability indicators with respect to 18 transport experts’ opinions, which is expressed in a seven-point Likert scale. The sustainability indicators were used to perceive the deficiencies of the urban transport system and to provide the basic guidelines of an action plan to enhance sustainable mobility. The impacts of the two different policy scenarios were simulated using the weighted index: (a) the «Short-term scenario» where only partial improvements could be achieved and (b) the «Long-term scenario» where the action plan could achieve optimal results in the study area.