Urban active transport accessibility and equity analysis considering built environment, safety, and air pollution

Urban areas face growing challenges in ensuring equitable access to essential amenities amid increasing populations and resource constraints. Active mobility modes, including walking and cycling, offer sustainable solutions to these challenges but are significantly influenced by environmental factors. This study introduces a comprehensive framework for evaluating the spatial equity of urban active mobility, defined in this study as the fair spatial distribution of segment-level walkability and bikeability along with neighborhood-level accessibility. Using Oslo, Norway, as a case study, the framework assesses pedestrian and bicycle networks. Accessibility to key amenities was evaluated using a cumulative opportunities approach. Results reveal that approximately 23.5% of Oslo’s population experience active transport inequity, with limited access to well-scored mobility routes. The analysis also showed that over 50,000 individuals reside in areas where detours do not yield a feasible improvement in the active travel experience, resulting in another form of active mobility inequity. By identifying areas where infrastructure improvements can enhance active travel and accessibility, this framework provides insights to promote equitable mobility systems.