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Accessibility is increasingly recognised as a key purpose of transport policies. Most of the common practices found both in academic studies and policy planning draw on relatively simple accessibility measures taken as ‘objective’ indicators that only focus on the interaction between land use and transport. Relatively little attention has been paid to heterogeneity in individual characteristics and in self-reported perceptions of accessibility (‘subjective’ indicators), and the corresponding differences with respect to available modal options. This study includes a comparison of (1) ‘objective’ indicators of accessibility to key activities by various modes of transport; and (2) individuals' own perceptions of their capability to access valuable out-of-home activities and the modal options available to them. This study examines the key differences between the two representations of accessibility. The calculated measure was developed using door-to-door travel times to supermarkets and healthcare centres using OpenTripPlanner. The self-reported measure was based on a dedicated capability-oriented travel survey of people aged 65–79 in Sweden's large metropolitan regions: Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and binary and multinomial logistic regressions. The results of this study allow us to gain a greater insight into the ways in which the two accounts differ and can complement one another. We find that conventional methods, by overlooking the heterogeneity in people's perceptions of their accessibility, tend to overestimate accessibility levels and underestimate accessibility inequalities. This study shows how perceived accounts of accessibility can be incorporated into conventional accessibility models and improve accessibility analyses.
Jean Ryan; Rafael H.M. Pereira. What are we missing when we measure accessibility? Comparing calculated and self-reported accounts among older people. Journal of Transport Geography 2021, 93, 103086 .
AMA StyleJean Ryan, Rafael H.M. Pereira. What are we missing when we measure accessibility? Comparing calculated and self-reported accounts among older people. Journal of Transport Geography. 2021; 93 ():103086.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJean Ryan; Rafael H.M. Pereira. 2021. "What are we missing when we measure accessibility? Comparing calculated and self-reported accounts among older people." Journal of Transport Geography 93, no. : 103086.
Sweden's strategy to manage the spread of Covid-19 has not included any form of lockdown, in contrast to the approaches adopted by most other countries. Instead, the strategy has been largely based on strong recommendations for society. Even though Sweden has not had any form of lockdown, the Covid-19 pandemic has during a relatively short period of time brought changes for society, significantly disrupting everyday life. The pandemic poses both challenges and opportunities for sustainable future transport, not least public transport provision, supply and use. The purpose of this study is to investigate how changes for society have translated into changes for mobility as an element of everyday life during the early stages of a pandemic. This study draws on a map-based online survey (public participatory GIS) which was purposefully designed to allow people to contribute with their experiences in order to capture how the current situation has affected several different facets of people's everyday life. Results suggest that effects on mobility, such as the possibility to telework, affect different groups differently and may exacerbate existing differences in terms of gender, geography and mobility. In order to mitigate negative effects, transport policy needs to be tailored in order to take these heterogeneities into account. Both spatio-temporal adjustment and modal adjustment were dominant themes for most activities, although the dominance of these themes varied among the activities. Our findings give an indication of both the short and long-term impacts on everyday mobility in the Swedish context, for groups of inhabitants in the city of Malmö. Through deepening our understanding of the processes at play, we suggest eight possible policy responses that can be carefully tailored, both in the interim and into the future.
Helena Bohman; Jean Ryan; Vanessa Stjernborg; Désirée Nilsson. A study of changes in everyday mobility during the Covid-19 pandemic: As perceived by people living in Malmö, Sweden. Transport Policy 2021, 106, 109 -119.
AMA StyleHelena Bohman, Jean Ryan, Vanessa Stjernborg, Désirée Nilsson. A study of changes in everyday mobility during the Covid-19 pandemic: As perceived by people living in Malmö, Sweden. Transport Policy. 2021; 106 ():109-119.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHelena Bohman; Jean Ryan; Vanessa Stjernborg; Désirée Nilsson. 2021. "A study of changes in everyday mobility during the Covid-19 pandemic: As perceived by people living in Malmö, Sweden." Transport Policy 106, no. : 109-119.
Greater Copenhagen is often cited as a good example of cross-border cooperation. Shared historical contexts and socio-political willingness have meant that considerable resources have been invested into the development of infrastructure in this region. The Öresund fixed link constitutes the most important element of this infrastructure, facilitating a cross-border public transport system which ties the region together. This public transport system in turn underpins the social, economic and environmental sustainability of the cross-border region. The aim of this study is to investigate the issues at play with respect to improving the coherence of this cross-border public transport system, in relation to ticketing and public transport information in particular. This study comprises the compilation and analysis of the perspectives of the actors involved in and affected by the development of the cross-border transport system. In total, twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted. Six predominant themes emerged from the analysis of the empirical material: “Focus on the customer”, “The Other Side”, “Tidying up at home first”, “Political challenges”, “Back to basics” and “The low-hanging fruits”. It became apparent that the prioritization of internal and organizational issues in the first instance could mean compromises, not only for cross-border cooperation but also for the customer’s (the passenger’s) experience. Results suggest that improvements to coherence in this transport system will most likely take the form of incremental changes and adopting common standards. This is opposed to the development of common systems, or of a significant departure from existing systems.
Jean Ryan; Anders Wretstrand. Improving Coherence in a Cross-Border Public Transport System: Lessons from the Greater Copenhagen Region. Sustainability 2020, 12, 6208 .
AMA StyleJean Ryan, Anders Wretstrand. Improving Coherence in a Cross-Border Public Transport System: Lessons from the Greater Copenhagen Region. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (15):6208.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJean Ryan; Anders Wretstrand. 2020. "Improving Coherence in a Cross-Border Public Transport System: Lessons from the Greater Copenhagen Region." Sustainability 12, no. 15: 6208.
Modal choice is a prominent concept within transport studies. However, the term is often used quite loosely, with little known about the factors lying behind the choice, the alternatives available to a person, and whether the person had a ‘choice’ to begin with. This study draws on a travel survey among older people living in Sweden’s large metropolitan regions. The questions posed as part of this survey facilitate a greater insight into the processes at play behind modal choice. An analysis of the differences between: (1) the range of modal options available to respondents and (2) the modes selected from this range (modal choice) is presented. An analysis of the respondents’ reasoning for choosing the modes they did and not the others they could have chosen is also presented. It was found that more than a quarter of respondents have the option to use and actually use all modes for everyday travel. The car is more inclined to be selected among those who have a range of different modal options. Suitability and comfort are the two main reasons given for modal choice. More positive reasons are given for actively selecting walking and cycling, whereas the motives behind the selection of the car instead tend to be framed as reasons for not selecting other modes. Adaptive preference and adjustment effects are also apparent in the selection processes. This study gives us a deeper understanding of the intricate mechanisms and reasoning at play behind the process of modal choice among this group. In this way, we have a better basis for shaping and implementing measures to promote and encourage sustainable mobility, in such a way that the well-being of older people is also supported.
Jean Ryan. Examining the Process of Modal Choice for Everyday Travel Among Older People. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 691 .
AMA StyleJean Ryan. Examining the Process of Modal Choice for Everyday Travel Among Older People. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17 (3):691.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJean Ryan. 2020. "Examining the Process of Modal Choice for Everyday Travel Among Older People." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 3: 691.
Despite some incremental policy shifts accounting for transport equity concerns, the norms within which transport systems worldwide currently function are still implicitly exclusive. Older people constitute a group which is particularly susceptible to issues within the transport system. However, this susceptibility is not evenly distributed, partly due to the considerable heterogeneity in circumstances among this group. The aim of this study is to advance the methods informing the transport equity policy agenda by conducting an empirical investigation of disparities in capabilities based on Sen's Capability Approach. This is done by identifying which resources and characteristics among those aged 65–79 are associated with fewer opportunities relative to their peers. By focusing on capabilities (instead of proxies), the disparities reflecting equity concerns can be more clearly depicted. The research material comprises 1149 interviews with those living in Sweden's large metropolitan regions: Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö. Several analyses were developed in order to address the research questions: a multivariate multinomial logistic regression, multivariate binary logistic regressions and a basic analysis of frequencies. Clear links were identified between social resources, holding a driving license, access to public transport, income, health condition and age and capabilities. These results call for a greater focus on capabilities in travel surveys and a more fine-grained approach to equity analyses and policies by accounting for intersectionality effects. As such, more targeted and holistic policy measures can be developed.
Jean Ryan; Anders Wretstrand; Steven M. Schmidt. Disparities in mobility among older people: Findings from a capability-based travel survey. Transport Policy 2019, 79, 177 -192.
AMA StyleJean Ryan, Anders Wretstrand, Steven M. Schmidt. Disparities in mobility among older people: Findings from a capability-based travel survey. Transport Policy. 2019; 79 ():177-192.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJean Ryan; Anders Wretstrand; Steven M. Schmidt. 2019. "Disparities in mobility among older people: Findings from a capability-based travel survey." Transport Policy 79, no. : 177-192.
Jean Ryan. Geographies of Transport and Ageing, by Angela Curl and Charles Musselwhite (Eds.). Cham: Palgrave Macmillan. £96.50 (hardback); £91.68 (e-book). ISBN 9783319763590. Journal of Transport Geography 2018, 74, 409 -410.
AMA StyleJean Ryan. Geographies of Transport and Ageing, by Angela Curl and Charles Musselwhite (Eds.). Cham: Palgrave Macmillan. £96.50 (hardback); £91.68 (e-book). ISBN 9783319763590. Journal of Transport Geography. 2018; 74 ():409-410.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJean Ryan. 2018. "Geographies of Transport and Ageing, by Angela Curl and Charles Musselwhite (Eds.). Cham: Palgrave Macmillan. £96.50 (hardback); £91.68 (e-book). ISBN 9783319763590." Journal of Transport Geography 74, no. : 409-410.
The aim of this study is to explore the links between modal options and opportunities to participate in everyday activities among people aged 65–79 and living in Sweden’s large metropolitan regions (Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö). This incorporated a specific focus on those considered at a greater risk of transport-related social exclusion. This study applies the Capability Approach as a conceptual framework and employs a mixed methods element. A multinomial logistic regression was conducted in order to identify the characteristics associated with the respective modal options. Five independent variables produced statistically significant results: cohabiting, perceived health condition, income, region of residence and gender. Findings indicate a lower level of satisfaction with both the quantity and quality of modal options among those who do not have public transport as a modal option. The results suggest that those who do not have public transport as a modal option are less inclined to have the capability of carrying out all everyday activities of value. The qualitative strand uncovers the salience of the absence of having the possibility to carry out active physical exercise, with many highlighting that health issues and transport/infrastructure problems constitute barriers to having the possibility to participate in such activities. Deficiencies in the public transport service was the most common reason provided as to why public transport is not a modal option for some. These results bring us closer to understanding the role different modal options can have in facilitating capabilities of value and continued participation in society among older people.
Jean Ryan; Anders Wretstrand. What’s mode got to do with it? Exploring the links between public transport and car access and opportunities for everyday activities among older people. Travel Behaviour and Society 2018, 14, 107 -118.
AMA StyleJean Ryan, Anders Wretstrand. What’s mode got to do with it? Exploring the links between public transport and car access and opportunities for everyday activities among older people. Travel Behaviour and Society. 2018; 14 ():107-118.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJean Ryan; Anders Wretstrand. 2018. "What’s mode got to do with it? Exploring the links between public transport and car access and opportunities for everyday activities among older people." Travel Behaviour and Society 14, no. : 107-118.
This study aims to gain a greater insight into cycling as an element of mobility among those in later life. The characteristics and views of those who cycle, those who have never cycled, as well as those who have discontinued cycling in later life are the main focus. Malmö, a city in the south of Sweden with a strong emphasis on bicycle planning, is the study area. This study employed a mixed methods approach. The quantitative element comprised a survey which aimed to capture the trends at play when it comes to cycling within this age group. The qualitative element encompassed two focus groups which were carried out in order to gain a deeper insight into older persons’ perspectives and perceptions with respect to cycling. The study׳s findings illustrate the very positive and important role cycling can play in the mobility of older persons in the city of Malmö. It is not only possible but also mostly enjoyable for many older people to cycle. Cycling is a facilitator of activities and is largely associated with convenience and ease. There are clear differences between cyclists and non-cyclists, with the former generally having a wider range of mobility opportunities available to them. Cycling cessation is anticipated as a very distressing, yet inevitable, life event by those who still cycle. The results of this study suggest that campaigns aimed at increasing the awareness and consideration of other road users towards older cyclists, as well as the introduction of clearer and more visible signage could support older cyclists in prolonging their cycling, as well as improving the experience they have as they do cycle. Increasing awareness of the health benefits of cycling could be another means of encouraging people to continue cycling as they age.
J. Ryan; H. Svensson; J. Rosenkvist; S.M. Schmidt; A. Wretstrand. Cycling and cycling cessation in later life: Findings from the city of Malmö. Journal of Transport & Health 2016, 3, 38 -47.
AMA StyleJ. Ryan, H. Svensson, J. Rosenkvist, S.M. Schmidt, A. Wretstrand. Cycling and cycling cessation in later life: Findings from the city of Malmö. Journal of Transport & Health. 2016; 3 (1):38-47.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJ. Ryan; H. Svensson; J. Rosenkvist; S.M. Schmidt; A. Wretstrand. 2016. "Cycling and cycling cessation in later life: Findings from the city of Malmö." Journal of Transport & Health 3, no. 1: 38-47.
This study employs Amartya Sen's Capability Approach as a guiding conceptual framework in the exploration of public transport as an element of mobility among the young-old living in Stockholm, Sweden. The aim is to shed light on the variation in mobility resources of those who perceive they can use public transport as their primary mode of transport and of those who perceive they cannot (‘mobility capability element’), as well as that of those using public transport and of those not using it (‘mobility functioning element’). Increasing residential density, being female and having a higher functional capacity were among the mobility resources which produced a positive increase in the likelihood of considering it possible to use, and the use of, public transport. The higher the ratio of cars to household member, the lower the likelihood of including public transport as a mobility capability element or as a mobility functioning element. Most of those who included public transport use as both a mobility capability element and a mobility functioning element were also users of the private car. There was also a tendency towards car use rather than towards no travel if the individual was not a user of public transport. Through the application of the Capability Approach, this paper facilitates further insight into the variation in mobility resources, corresponding mobility capability and mobility functioning elements of this group, with respect to public transport. It also opens up questions for the future employment of this conceptual framework within transport research.
Jean Ryan; Anders Wretstrand; Steven M. Schmidt. Exploring public transport as an element of older persons' mobility: A Capability Approach perspective. Journal of Transport Geography 2015, 48, 105 -114.
AMA StyleJean Ryan, Anders Wretstrand, Steven M. Schmidt. Exploring public transport as an element of older persons' mobility: A Capability Approach perspective. Journal of Transport Geography. 2015; 48 ():105-114.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJean Ryan; Anders Wretstrand; Steven M. Schmidt. 2015. "Exploring public transport as an element of older persons' mobility: A Capability Approach perspective." Journal of Transport Geography 48, no. : 105-114.