How to measure territorial accessibility. An accessibility evaluation model applied in the European Union space

Abstract

In this paper we propose a quantitative model of territorial accessibility provided by the endowment of transport infrastructure for the European Union reference space. For this purpose, we designed a composite index calculated at regional NUTS 2 level, which includes the following proxy variables representative for the assessment of territorial equipment with transport networks: the densities of the motorways network, the high-speed rails network and the inland waterways, the number of interregional links on the motorway, high-speed railway and inland waterway, the number of airports and ports of the trans-European core network. Based on said index values, we have developed a spatial model of the deficit accessibility in the Community space and a synoptic of the possible solutions for the development of transport networks, as a prerequisite for the homogenization of the territorial accessibility and the improve of the territorial cohesion.

Keywords

• territorial accessibility
• transport infrastructure
• territorial cohesion
• european union