Weather or not to go : the travel impact of nuisance flooding and heavy rain for disabled and older people
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Transport systems are foundational, shaping the places that people can go, however, they are not equitable for everyone. Sea level rise and more intense rainfall are expected to create larger and more frequent floods as well as more widespread surface flooding. The aim of this study was to better understand how increased surface flooding and heavy rainfall will impact the journeys of those who cannot drive and identify solutions for Ĺtautahi (Christchurch). Interviews were conducted with disabled and older people, who are typically most reliant on public transport and have the highest accessibility needs. Poor weather tends to amplify existing transport barriers and leading to increased isolation and reduced wellbeing. From the interviews, analysis was completed to assess the value of bus shelters. The moderating effect of bus shelters on bus ridership was measured for rainy days, finding a medium relationship on weekdays. Areas of middle deprivation have access to the most shelters on the network and have access to the most sheltered and seated stops per population yet stops in areas of higher deprivation tend to have a higher use across all types of infrastructure. Failing to consider the impacts of future heavy rainfall and excess water on the streets for pedestrians could further exacerbate transport inequalities and impede goals of transitioning away from cars and carbon emissions.