Accessibility analysis of Korean high-speed rail: A case study of the Seoul metropolitan area

This paper deals with an accessibility analysis of Korean high-speed rail. The high-speed intercity service, which became operational in April 2004, has being creating positive impacts on forming a modal share structure conformable to the notion of the competitive advantage between travel modes. Patronage, however, is approximately half of that forecast. Accessibility improvement is generally accepted as one of the most urgent methods for increasing ridership. A systemized accessibility analysis with a case study of the Seoul metropolitan area is made. A reduced form of a Hansen-type accessibility measure is proposed. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) test and a Geographic Information Systems (GIS)-based mapping audit are used as tools for the assessment. Finally, zones of opportunity that could yield the greatest demand increase of high-speed rail are identified and some metropolitan railway expansions for improving accessibility of the region are recommended.