Measuring and modelling the spatial accessibility of public transport stops in GIS

Abstract

This article introduces two basic exact approaches for evaluation of spatial accessibility of public transport stops in the geographical information systems environment. The first is considered to be a simple approach contributing to the definition of buffers (wrap zones) around the stops. These are based on geometrical concept and use simple euclidean distance for specification of coverage of the individual city quarters. The present study works with the distance of 400 metres, which in the urban environment represents a comfortably accessible walking distance of 5 minutes. The other approach (the isoline method) is already considered to be more advanced, as it is based on the sophisticated tools of geographic information systems, which are able to interconnect the existing access paths and take the individual spatial barriers into consideration. This results in a realistic image of public transport stop accessibility already fully corresponding to the real situation. This tool may not only be used for current status analysis, but also for future status prediction. The example of establishment of new stops in the city of České Budějovice, therefore, uses this instrument for determining the impact of the new stop establishment in the city centre on the city coverage.