This paper presents the results of a research study aimed at objectively measuring the relative quality of public transport supply and its spatial distribution with respect to transport disadvantage in metropolitan Melbourne. The project is part of a wider international research program funded by the Australian Research Council which is currently focusing on understanding transport disadvantage in metropolitan Melbourne. Section 2 of this paper presents a summary of the research context regarding studies that have measured transport service quality relative to social needs. Section 3 then details the methodology adopted for the study. The results associated with the spatial distribution of public transport supply are then described in section 4. Section 5 summarises the results concerning the spatial distribution of transport needs. Section 6 then outlines the assessment of relative supply and needs to identify gaps in service levels. Section 7 then concludes the paper by providing a discussion of key findings and an assessment of the implications for future policy and research. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E216058.
Abstract