Transport accessibility as a sustainable transport solution for Christchurch City

Abstract

Integrated transport accessibility allows the central city to continue to grow as a dynamic place to live, work and play. The aim of this study is to analyse the importance of transport accessibility as a contributing factor for central city revitalisation. The literature review is divided into two sections. The first section defines central city revitalisation and why accessibility is the key to the development of CBD. The literature suggests several ways for considering theoretical measures that could lead to a switch from private car use to travel by more sustainable modes, such as public bus transport, through implementation of a policy incentives (buses) and disincentives (cars). The second review section takes Christchurch central city as a case study. It first describes the Christchurch urban area and its demography. The population growth of Christchurch shows a strong upward trend and this is borne in mind by planners when planning future transport needs. It is in this context that a review is made of the existing transport accessibility within the central city as well as accessibility to and from the central city and the greater Christchurch region. This study uses GIS technology and pedestrian surveys to investigate how accessibility affects the central city. The aim is to measure the spatial accessibility within the central city in terms of non-motorised transport (walking and cycling) while public transport is used to measure accessibility between the central city and the whole region. A pedestrian interview survey of central city visitors was undertaken to provide a general assessment of how transport accessibility influenced the current development of the central city. The study reveals that public passenger transport and non-motorised transport are sustainable modes with respect to the continued growth of the central city. Findings regarding private motor vehicles show that car travel still dominates when people take a journey to and from the central city. The use of non-motorised transport (walking and cycling) has a positive effect on central city development, as it impacts positively on the CBD's social and economic activities. These findings indicate that improved provision for walking and cycling could allow access to opportunities. It confirms the 3E's theory that Engineering, Education, and Enforcement increase the occurrence of walking and cycling. Over time, the use of public transport will continue to be an important competitor with car usage. The existing bus services do serve the inhabitants well by connecting all parts of the inner city with the city centre, but it is more difficult to link the passengers from Greater Christchurch with the central city. Therefore, with expected high travel demand in the future, significant and cost-effective upgrades to bus services are required. Provision of bus priority lanes, dedicated busways and more frequent services are recommended.