A Use-Based Measure of Accessibility to Linear Features to Predict Urban Trail Use

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

The standard Hansen measure of accessibility is extended to provide a use-based measure of accessibility reflecting the elasticity of use with respect to the level of provision of facilities. This is further extended to provide a measure of accessibility to linear features, such as trails (as opposed to features at point locations such as parks and libraries). Results from a survey on the use of urban trails in Indianapolis, Indiana are used to test the ability of this accessibility measure to predict trail use. The use-based measure of accessibility to linear features provides better predictions of use and more consistent estimates of the effects of distance and level of facility provision on trail use.