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Table 1 Theoretical framework for assessing equity in active transport planning – adapted from Lee et al. [32]

From: How equitable are the distributions of the physical activity and accessibility benefits of bicycle infrastructure?

Models of distributive justice

Equality rule

• Benefits and costs of active transport should be the same for everyone.

Equity rule

• Benefits and costs of active transport should be distributed proportionally, e.g., provide infrastructure where demand is highest.

Needs rule

• The greatest benefit should be provided to the most disadvantaged population groups or geographical areas.

Approaches to identifying inequities in measured benefits or costs of active transport.

Social

• Assesses how active transport benefits or costs are distributed between different population groups.

• Focus is typically on disadvantaged population groups, e.g., low income, indigenous, females.

• Disadvantaged population groups sometimes have the most to gain from active transport policies, due to lower levels of physical activity, motor vehicle ownership and access to public transport.

Spatial

• Assesses how active transport benefits or costs are distributed between different geographical areas (e.g., neighbourhoods).

Modal

• Assesses whether users of a given mode of transport are better/worse off than others, or disproportionately affected by a transport policy or project, e.g., pedestrians having longer average waiting times at signal-controlled intersections.

Procedural

• Assesses the fairness of decision making, e.g., whether disadvantaged groups/areas/modes are considered in, or disproportionately affected by, strategies, plans, designs, etc.

Measures of the benefits and costs of active transport.

Benefits

• Availability or accessibility of active transport infrastructure.

• Accessibility to employment, education, public transport stops, supermarkets and other activity destinations.

• Active transport infrastructure quality, e.g., kerb ramps and pavement quality.

• Physical activity associated with active transport.

Costs

• Exposure to air pollution.

• Risk of being killed/injured by a motor vehicle driver.