Transport poverty meets the digital divide: accessibility and connectivity in rural communities

TLDR

Rural communities experience significant gaps in physical and digital accessibility, with transport and technology infrastructure constraints amplifying disparities compared to urban areas, and research on these issues remains limited. The study investigates the context of rural accessibility and connectivity, identifying key transport and technology challenges and exploring barriers and opportunities for integrated solutions. The paper examines how information technologies support rural public transport passengers and how technology can enable flexible, demand‑responsive transport services in rural areas.

Abstract

Rural communities face a range of challenges associated with accessibility and connectivity which apply in both the physical and virtual sphere. Constraints in rural transport infrastructure and services are often compounded by limitations in the development and resilience of technological infrastructures. In this context there is significant disparity between urban and rural communities. This paper will examine the context for accessibility and connectivity in rural communities highlighting key transport and technology challenges. It also explores barriers and opportunities to bringing together transport and technology solutions to enhance rural accessibility and connectivity. This is an area where current understanding is weak as most research has been focussed on urban environments. The paper focuses specifically on two issues of current research; firstly, the role of information and associated technologies in supporting rural passengers on public transport, secondly, the use of technologies to support flexible and demand responsive transport services in rural areas.