From Geographical Accessibility to Subway Use: The Role of Perceived Accessibility Among University Students

An extensive body of literature has examined the impact of accessibility on public transport use. However, travel decisions are influenced not only by the spatial characteristics of the transportation system, but also by how users perceive those characteristics. Although previous studies have examined the relationship between geographical and perceived accessibility, further research is needed to better understand how geographical accessibility connects to perceived accessibility within an integrated behavioral model. This study extends previous research by analyzing the relationship between geographical and perceived accessibility among university students using a gravity-based accessibility index in the Tehran subway network. The study applies a Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) framework to test how geographical accessibility and users’ perceptions, including perceived accessibility, connectivity, equity, and network awareness, jointly influence subway use. Students at six selected universities in Tehran completed an online questionnaire distributed through university networks, academic channels, and student communication platforms, yielding 1031 valid responses. The results indicate that geographical accessibility, measured through a gravity-based index, is positively associated with perceived accessibility, which is in turn associated with subway use, consistent with the fully mediated pathway specified in the model. Similarly, greater awareness of the subway network is positively associated with users’ perceived connectivity, which is in turn positively associated with subway use. Among the attitudinal factors, affordability shows a strong positive association with subway use, while perceived equity is positively associated with satisfaction, which is in turn positively associated with subway use. In contrast, comfort sensitivity is negatively associated with subway use. The findings highlight the importance of perceptual and attitudinal factors in translating spatial accessibility into actual behavior. The study provides insights for developing more effective and user-oriented public transport policies by emphasizing the role of perception alongside infrastructure.