An integrated model for quantifying accessibility-benefits in developing countries

The interaction between accessibility and rural development is a subject of current concern. The degree of accessibility determines the ability of ind ividuals to participate in development and other social activities. The pap er describes the development of a numerical method for quantifying accessib ility-benefits suitable for application in developing countries. The method ology provides an integrated approach to analysing accessibility by conside ring all constraints faced by individuals, particularly their income. The m ethod can be used to evaluate different accessibility-enhancing strategies, and to quantify the benefits derived by different groups of individuals un der various states of socio-economic development in rural areas of developi ng countries. The application of the accessibility-benefits model is demons trated using two hypothetical case studies featuring the effects of improvi ng intermediate means of transport and improving temporal strategies. The p urpose of the case studies is to demonstrate how different accessibility-en hancing strategies can be related to the key model parameters, and to show the likely magnitude of the benefits, in monetary terms, that can be attain ed by individuals with different income levels. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science L td. All rights reserved.