Using New Accessibility Tools to Guide Policy Innovation

Abstract

Australian metropolitan planning strategies are focused on more intensive use of existing land in order to stem urban expansion and improve accessibility by public transport. New accessibility tools offer the possibility to guide these policy changes, overcoming restrictions to policy innovation associated with traditional transport planning practice. This paper reports on the application of two new accessibility tools. SNAMUTS was applied in Perth to evaluate metropolitan growth and public transport infrastructure provision. MULUTT was applied in Brisbane to evaluate the location of a major sports stadium. The two case studies highlight the benefits of these tools in a deliberation process where stakeholders consider how to guide and manage urban development framed around improved and equitable access by public transport.