Citation

McCray T. Res. Transp. Econ. 2009; 25(1): 3-7.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.retrec.2009.08.002

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Accessibility measures are important tools in planning. However, if the data are not available to adequately capture the mobility and accessibility challenges of disadvantaged populations, than the results of the model provide little to no direction for policy makers. This paper explores data collection techniques that have the potential to address the "why" underlining the activity behavior, especially linking personal safety perceptions to activities. The first study comes from a series of focus groups with low-income women in Quebec City, Canada. Self-mapping of individual spaces creates a framework to address spatial and temporal challenges that negatively impact transit dependent populations. The second study focuses on the activity patterns of low-income immigrant youth in Providence, RI. A technique is presented to elicit formatted responses concerning perceptions of personal safety. With the help of GIS, this technique has the potential to link together activities and perceptions of safety for activity modeling.

Keywords: Low-income; Women; Immigrant; Teenagers; Access; Activities; Transport; Perceptions of safety; Pedestrians; Baby Strollers; Young adults