A framework for integrating disadvantaged analysis into transportation planning models

Abstract

The ability to access personal or public transportation is fundamental for people to connect with employment opportunities, health and medical services, educational services, and the community at large. However certain populations lack the ability to provide their own transportation or have difficulty accessing whatever conventional public transportation may be available (Department of Transportation 2003). The ‘transportation disadvantaged’ populations are those persons who are unable to transport themselves or are unable to purchase transportation due to physical or mental disability, income status, or age. Therefore, the transportation disadvantaged are dependent upon others to obtain access to health care, employment, education, shopping, and other life sustaining activities. Additionally, since disadvantage is a personal experience, it can be simply characterised as what people perceive to be transportation disadvantage (Raje 2003).