Spatial Accessibility
2023-7-18
Planning for equal transit-based accessibility of healthcare facilities: A case study of Shenzhen, China
This study develops and applies an improved maximal accessibility equality model to optimize the transit-based accessibility equality of healthcare facilities in Shenzhen, China.
Abstract:
Recent location-allocation studies have made considerable progress in optimizing the equality of facility accessibility but are focused on automobile transport to facilities. In cities, however, the transit-based accessibility of essential services is crucial for social equality and sustainable development. In this study, we develop a modified transit-based maximal accessibility equality (MAE) model for optimizing the equality of the transit-based accessibility of healthcare facilities. In this model, equality is quantified as the weighted mean absolute deviation (WMAD) of accessibility across locations. Two scenarios are set up to reallocate resources or allocate newly added resources. The results reveal that the equality of transit-based healthcare accessibility can be significantly improved in both scenarios. A dispersed planning strategy for facilities is suggested to achieve equal accessibility. However, the transit-based optimization results significantly differ from the car-based optimization results, with more supply allocated to facilities close to transit corridors. This finding implies that the traditional car-based MAE model might generate unequal healthcare accessibility for transit-dependent populations and thus lead to biased recommendations for healthcare planning. Furthermore, it shows that traditional car-based optimization may engender a misallocation of healthcare supply, exacerbating the inequality in healthcare accessibility. The necessity of incorporating public transit into public facility planning is highlighted. The improved MAE model can be applied in cities where the supply of public services is relatively adequate and public transit plays an important role in daily mobility.
Summary:
- Study aims to optimize transit-based accessibility equality of healthcare facilities in Shenzhen, China using a modified maximal accessibility equality (MAE) model
- Healthcare accessibility measured using 2-step floating catchment area method with Gaussian distance decay
- Equality quantified as weighted mean absolute deviation (WMAD) of accessibility across locations
- Two scenarios tested: reallocating existing supply and allocating additional supply
- Optimization results show improved equality in both scenarios compared to actual allocation
- More supply allocated along transit corridors versus car-based optimization
- Findings highlight need to consider transit accessibility in facility planning for equality
Study questions and answers:
| Study Questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| What was the research objective? | To optimize the equality of transit-based accessibility to healthcare facilities using an improved MAE model. |
| How was accessibility measured? | Using a 2-step floating catchment area method with Gaussian distance decay function. |
| How was equality quantified? | As the weighted mean absolute deviation (WMAD) of accessibility across locations. |
| What scenarios were tested? | Reallocating existing supply and allocating additional supply. |
| What was the main finding? | Optimization improved equality in both scenarios compared to actual allocation. |
| How did results differ from car-based optimization? | More supply allocated along transit corridors. |
| What was the key implication? | The need to consider transit accessibility in facility planning for equality. |