Time-space accessibility modeling: an individual-centered approach to develop a transport policy framework in remote environments

Space and time are important components to consider while performing indispensable activities in remote areas. This study opts for a Time-space Prism (TSP) to plot travel time and distance activities of rural households living in the Badin sub-region, Pakistan, ranked 5th in the world’s demographics, yet to develop a transport policy. Hence, this research aims to formulate and evaluate a transport policy framework based on the study objective, i.e., to develop basic and ameliorated TSPs of rural households. In total, 100 sampled questionnaires were finalized using low-income clusters that centered on the trip data. Household income, household size, travel distance and time, vehicle ownership, and trip purposes were noted, including household head interviews. To validate research instruments, the sampled data were analyzed with the help of descriptive statistics and normal distribution. This study found that 61% of the population did not have personal vehicles, 48% used the mode “Walk”, and 27% of the total trips were recorded using the mode “Bus”. Significant improvements in the TSP slope were noticed, i.e., from 82.82° to 61.61°, when households picked available faster travel modes to reach desired destinations. Consequently, an 85.84° slope value was recorded for the trips commuted through the travel mode “Bicycle.” However, when households traveled by “Bus”, they improved their TSP value to 79.57°. Improvements in TSP degrees further indicated a reduction in travel time and an enhancement in activity time. Based on the study findings, a policy framework was developed and assessed. The expert opinion was recorded through an online questionnaire survey with an 85% response rate. Research parameters are not conferred predominantly; therefore, this is a novel approach that executed the TSP technique for rural households. This research may contribute to SDGs # 1 (No Poverty), 3 (Good Health & Well-being), and 11 (Sustainable Communities).