Job accessibility in industrial areas

Abstract

This research evaluates the accessibility in industrial areas to the labour force by applying a spatio-temporal accessibility model in the IJmond region, located in The Netherlands. Industrial areas are crucial for regional economic activity, impacting employment opportunities for the labour force, especially those with lower incomes. This research aims to understand how the spatiotemporal configuration of industrial areas affects accessibility for different demographic groups and its implications for transport equity. The study shifts focus from job accessibility for workers to workforce accessibility from the employers' perspective, highlighting challenges faced by industrial areas regarding public transport. A gravity model is built to analyse spatiotemporal accessibility using socio-demographic data from CBS and geographic data from IBIS. Findings indicate significant disparities in non-spatiotemporal accessibility levels between car and public transit, with car accessibility generally higher. Focusing on spatio-temporal accessibility for transit has shown that levels decrease further during the night. Many industrial areas become 'unreachable' by public transit during nighttime hours with those that remain reachable, facing significantly longer travel times. In addition, it has been found that low-income workers tend to live closer to industrial areas and in higher concentrations compared to high-income workers. Recommendations include developing alternative transport solutions that will primarily support shift workers during nighttime, enhancing pedestrian and cycling routes, and utilizing more detailed neighbourhood-level data for future studies that aim to improve accessibility and gain more insights into equity in industrial areas.