Accessibility Planning: a chimera?

This thesis investigates whether Accessibility Planning is a chimera. Is
Accessibility Planning an illusion without reality, or is it a feasible planning
Concept? Are accessibility-based planning approaches not already included in
Mainstream transport planning practice? The objectives of the study are explored
Through literature' reviews' and primary research of planning practitioners and
Pedestrians. The literature reviews identify a number of potential barriers to
Accessibility Planning through assessing research literature and collecting
Information on previously abandoned approaches that were similar in scope to
Accessibility Planning. The potential barriers were rephrased into eight research
Propositions, divided into two groups, culture and tools. A further literature review
And two surveys seek to answer the propositions. A survey of transport planners in
British local authorities investigates difficulties in implementing Accessibility
Planning and planners' attitudes to it. A second survey uses questionnaires and an
Innovative GIS-based analysis to examine pedestrian route choice. The evidence
Collected by the new GIS methodology assesses the reliability of 'local'
Accessibility indicators based solely on notional distance. This part of the study also
Presents new evidence on pedestrian route choice behaviour. Finally, the findings
From the two surveys and the literature reviews are brought together and used to
Confirm or reject the propositions. The results of the study portray how British.
Transport planning culture has changed to take up an accessibility-based planning
Approach and where the strengths and weaknesses of Accessibility Planning lie. The
Study concluded that Accessibility Planning is not a chimera and that the tools that
Have dominated transport planning do not incorporate an accessibility-based
Planning approach. It also found that there is a significant problem in specifying
Useful accessibility indicators, that this is an obstacle for effective Accessibility
Planning, and that Accessibility Planning requires new skills and ways of working.