ABSTRACT
Concepts of accessibility, mobility and travel need have been used recently in the transport literature. This chapter traces the developments which led to the present interest in the subject, and clarifies the concepts and finally to examine the role which accessibility plays in the theory of travel choice. It describes with the definition and measurement of accessibility and with the question of how accessibility effects have been incorporated in the modelling of both short-term and intermediate travel demand. However, before discussing these problems, it is necessary to clear some confusion arising from a mistaken emphasis laid on mobility and travel need as criteria of transport planning. Accessibility measures have been used in human geography to describe the growth of towns; the location of facilities and functions; and the juxtaposition of land uses. There is also the impact of accessibility on land use and the development of urban patterns which has traditionally been the focus of attention amongst urban geographers.
