Constructing a Mobility Index for Assessing Human Opportunity Spaces

Abstract

This paper discusses the challenges when operationalizing mobility for international planning practice on the one hand and presents the index methodology as one solution on the other. Scientific indices are rarely used in planning practice, but are indeed suitable for the systematic operationalization of complex phenomena such as mobility. After a short theoretical introduction, the concept of mobility will be operationalized step by step for indexing. For this purpose, in addition to a theoretical construction model for a mobility index, a list of indicators necessary for its calculation is created, based on international studies. Subsequently, this spatial mobility index is calculated on the basis of accessibility and user survey data from a Berlin district in Germany. As a result, the index clearly shows on maps where people have more and less mobility options. Thus, the mobility index provides a novel method for planning to identify high or low mobility in the study areas.

Keywords: Mobility, Index, Composite indicator, transportation planning, planning tool