ACCESSIBILITY INDEX ELABORATION BY NETWORK GEOSPATIAL ANALYSIS

ABSTRACT The objective of this study is, by means of geoprocessing techniques, to prepare an accessibility index and use it to evaluate the suitability of the public transport network offered to the various regions and social classes present in the metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro (RMRJ). This study starts from the premise that there is a socio-spatial segregation, which is unlikely to change. Thus, the proposed accessibility index aims to assess the quality of the public transport structure offered regarding its connectivity to different locations and jobs as well as the ease (or difficulty) of access to different public transport modes. The results indicate that the public transport system i is ineffective as an instrument for overcoming socio-spatial segregation, as there is a tendency for individuals with lower incomes to occupy areas with the lowest level on the proposed accessibility index. This tendency can be explained by the higher quality of public transport in the central regions and the increased value of areas with a better supply of transport, even in peripheral areas.