Defining transport disadvantage in Perth

The provision of transport infrastructure and services plays a critical role in connecting communities to essential services, as well as to employment and social activities. A lack of access to transport can lead to disadvantage in many forms and can be influenced by many variables.

To better understand transport disadvantage in Greater Perth this project will involve a literature review and stakeholder interviews to identify and apply locally relevant indicators to guide the estimation of the extent, spatial distribution, and nature of transport disadvantage in the Greater Perth region.

Drawing on the findings, an overview of how transport disadvantage is affecting travel decisions will be provided. Recomendations for further action by all levels of government and other key service providers will be developed, with the aim of building upon existing approaches to address areas of need.

The recommendations will identify the potential for new and research-informed initiatives that builds upon existing approaches and local experience contributing to addressing the needs of the beneficiaries (i.e. transport users, governments and community).

Participants

• Department of Transport (WA)
• University of Western Australia

Project background

Transport disadvantage is a complex multidimensional concept relating to deficiencies in the level of transport choice and flexibility available to different population groups at various times and for various reasons. It is brought about by the interaction between transport service provision, land-use patterns and other individual circumstances that may include social disadvantage.

Some groups are more likely to experience transport disadvantage than others. These include those on low incomes, unemployed people, people with a disability, young people, families with young children, senior citizens, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) people and Indigenous Australians.

Transport disadvantage also encompasses barriers around transport use (both public and private transport) and difficulties associated with maintaining private transport (i.e. car ownership costs).

A deeper understanding of transport disadvantage in the Greater Perth context is required to ascertain the nature of the problem and the possible solutions to address it.

Project objectives

The objectives of this project are to:

• assess the potential size, spatial distribution, and nature of transport disadvantage to identify the most disadvantaged locations and groups in the Greater Perth region;
• provide recommendations for action by all sectors that incorporate stakeholders’ views to address the needs of the beneficiaries, including data and research gaps; and
• recommend a compilation of new initiatives and policy, informed by this research, that builds upon existing approaches and local experience and knowledge

Please note …

This page will be a living record of this project. As it matures, hits milestones, etc., we’ll continue to add information, links, images, interviews and more. Watch this space!