On the connection between access to mobility and socio-economic district structure

^{UHH / Ohme}

A significant proportion of Hamburg's population lives in districts that are not sufficiently integrated into the HVV network [1]. Furthermore, studies by the Hamburg University of Technology show that the per capita availability of buses and rapid transit services is significantly lower in low-income areas compared to neighborhoods with higher purchasing power [2]. The recently introduced financial support for the use of Deutsche Bahn and the Hamburg Transport Association (HVV) relieved the burden on low-income households [3]. However, even this financial support does not solve the problem of the lack of connections between low-income (peripheral) areas and the mobility network.

Access to public transport is essential for social participation, which can manifest itself in maintaining social contacts, personal development or involvement in cultural and political life [3]. Restrictions in mobility, such as long waiting times, frequent changes or poor connections, can therefore lead to social isolation. In order to promote social participation, especially for marginalized groups, a well-functioning transport network in the city is essential.

Our project aims to use data to analyze how the HVV service differs between the various districts of Hamburg. We are therefore planning to evaluate the individual stops in Hamburg's public transport system. We will use the HVV timetable data to algorithmically determine the catchment areas of the respective stops and display them visually. In doing so, we take into account that good mobility access not only includes a nearby stop, but also a high frequency of travel and appropriate capacity utilization.

Furthermore, the travel times to the places of social participation are calculated in order to enable a comparison of the different stops. The results will be presented in the form of a map of Hamburg and serve as a starting point for realistic optimizations with machine learning algorithms. The research results can be used by our cooperation partner HVV to obtain an overview of poorly connected districts in Hamburg. In addition, the map will be made available to the public so that every citizen can find out about the connectivity of their district.

And here the group in their own words (German):

References

[1] Agora Verkehrswende (2023) „Große Unterschiede auf kleinstem Raum,“ Verfügbar unter: https://www.agora-verkehrswende.de/veroeffentlichungen/oev-atlas-deutschland/grosse-unterschiede-auf-kleinstem-raum/ (Letzter Zugriff am: 21.06.2023).  
[2] Daubitz, S. and Aberle C. (2020) „Mobilität und Soziale Exklusion in Hamburg,“ Forschungsbericht, TU Berlin. DOI: 10.15480/882.3019.  
[3] Hille, C. and Gather, M. (2022) “Mit dem 9-Euro-Ticket zu mehr sozialer Teilhabe? Ergebnisse einer Befragung von einkommensschwachen Haushalten zur Wirkung des 9-Euro-Tickets auf das Mobilitätsverhalten und ausgewählte Dimensionen der sozialen Teilhabe,” Berichte des Instituts Verkehr und Raum (29).