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University of Westminster

Transport Studies Group

Joseph Rowntree Foundation

Transport and Mobility: The Perspectives of Disadvantaged Communities

Study Aim and Objectives

The overall aim of this study is to characterise the views and aspirations of people living in disadvantaged communities vis-a-vis their transport and mobility needs, in the context of the changing transport policy agenda. There are three broad objectives that the proposal addresses:

To identify the current travel behaviour and views of disadvantaged communities regarding the provision of transport and other services, and the extent to which their daily needs are being met

To explore their perceptions of broader transport-related issues and of current government transport policies

To examine the extent to which current transport policies address the needs of disadvantaged communities (e.g. the current emphasis on the provision of high quality 'Park and Ride' facilities is probably largely irrelevant, except insofar as it reduces traffic levels in polluted areas)
 

Key Issues

Low levels of car ownership are concentrated in areas of deprivation as identified by 1999 Index of Local Deprivation (nationally, on average 30% of households have no access to a car, 40% London, 44% in North East)

Generally those on a low-income, elderly, children, certain ethnic minority groups and, to a lesser extent, women have low car access and are more reliant on the use of public transport

Non-possession of a driving licence now identified as proven barrier to finding work (http://index99.apsoc.ox.ac.uk)

The government recognised in the 1998 Transport White Paper that current public transport provision may exclude these same groups

Poor access to amenities often a feature of disadvantaged communities (the most disadvantaged in our society are particularly likely either to live on isolated estates, or to live in areas that most suffer from the negative effects of road traffic)
 

Related Research

Joseph Rowntree Foundation:
Various publications relating to disadvantaged groups and monitoring social exclusion
DETR Mobility Unit:
The Gender Audit: Women and Transport (www.women-and-transport.net)
Social Exclusion and the provision and Availability of Public Transport (research in progress -TraC, University of North London)
Transport, Ethnic Minorities and Faith Communities (research in progress - Social Research Associates)
Transport and Elderly people (contract currently under tender)
London Transport Planning:
Transport and Social Exclusion in London: scoping study
Manchester University:
Social Exclusion and Transport Network (www.art.man.ac.uk/transres/socexclu0.htm)
 

Methods

The research aims will be met through a combination of a comprehensive literature review, re-analysis of existing quantitative data, a programme of qualitative research, comparisons with existing data and interviews with professionals in the transport, planning and social areas.

(a) The review of contemporary academic and policy literature will be international in coverage, including relevant JRF research, in the two broad subject areas of transport and deprivation.

(b) Existing national data will be re-analysed in order to identify the particular views and behaviour patterns of disadvantaged groups, compared to other population groups. The main data source will be the National Travel Survey, a rolling annual programme involving around 4,000 households in Great Britain.

(c) Selection of five case study areas for new qualitative survey work, to reflect the range of different transport and accessibility problems among transport deprived communities.

(d) Two extended focus groups will be carried out in each area, with around eight to ten respondents in each group and two moderators. Respondents would be paid to participate and recruited to a quota sample, based on age, gender, ethnicity and occupied status.

(e) In order to provide background information for each survey area, and to better understand the perceptions of professionals involved in transport and social provision, approximately 25 depth interviews will be carried out with local key professionals and with policy makers at national level.
 

Time-scale
Literature review October - December 1999
Secondary data analysis November - January 2000
Scoping report January 2000
Selection of case study areas January 2000
Focus groups and analysis March - June 2000
Interviews and analysis February - July 2000
Draft report September 2000
Final report and dissemination October 2000
 

For further information please contact:
Dr. Karen Lucas
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