Assessment of the Improvement of Public Transport in Hillside Cities Considering the Impact of Topography on Walking Choices

This study examines the benefits of considering topography in the implementation of public transport systems and improving mobility in a hillside district in Yokohama, Japan. It studies the relationship between the improvement and the actual use of the service. A multinomial logit model that incorporates topography is developed to describe mode choice. Based on this model, utility-based accessibilities, which include topographical impact, are calculated, and the improvement resulting from the new service is analysed. The correlation between the improvement and the user's log is also examined to verify their relationship and the impact of topographical factors, which are compared with and without the new service. The mode choice model revealed that topography had a negative impact on walking and bus egress trips, with a 1-m increase in topography corresponded to a 9.54-m walk. The utility-based accessibility approach accurately illustrated the impact of topography. The improvement of accessibility positively correlated with service use, which is further enhanced when considering the topography. These results demonstrate the impact of implementing the new service, highlight the importance of considering topography in hillside cities, and underscore the significance of the utility-based accessibility approach as a relevant methodology.