About the dissertation
This thesis investigates the relation between how accessibility to everyday activities is calculated using mathematical models and how it is perceived by individuals. The relation is investigated across four transport modes (bicycle, car, public transport and walking) and five everyday activities (commuting, grocery shopping, going for lunch, going for dinner and meeting a friend in the city center). The study area is the Gothenburg Region. Perceived accessibility was captured through a web-survey and modeled accessibility was calculated using three accessibility indicators.
Results show that there is a significant relationship between modeled and perceived accessibility. The case of the car is unexpected as it is the only transport mode with a negative relation; as modeled accessibility increases, perceived accessibility decreases. In addition, individual preferences and attitudes exert stronger effects on perceived accessibility than what modeled accessibility does. These results are important for accessibility planning as they demonstrate that although using modeled accessibility is still relevant, perceived accessibility and individual characteristics should be taken into consideration as well.
Title of the dissertation
The relation between modeled and perceived accessibility
Respondent
Evangelos Vafeiadis
Opponent
Professor Enrica Papa, School of Architecture and Cities, University of Westminster, London, Great Britain
Grading committee
Associate professor Erika Sandow, Department of Geography, Umeå University, Sweden
Professor John Östh, Department of Built Environment, Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway
Associate professor Katarina Haugen, Department of Economy and Society, School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
Chair at the defense
Associate professor Jerry Olsson, Department of Economy and Society, School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
Supervisor
Associate professor Anders Larsson, Department of Economy and Society, School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
Assistant supervisor
Associate professor Erik Elldér, Department of Economy and Society, School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
