01045031

Component

This paper describes the Rural Access Index (RAI), a ‘high level’ indicator which has been established to focus on the critical role of access and mobility in reducing poverty in poor countries. The Index is defined together with the endorsed method of measurement which is by analyzing the results of representative household surveys. It has been adopted as part of the Results Measurement System for low income countries receiving assistance under the fourteenth tranche of the International Development Association (IDA). Current estimates of the Index indicate that some 900 million rural dwellers world wide do not have adequate access to a formal transport system. Initial values for more than 30 low income countries show the overall level of access for their rural population to be 57 percent. For a selection of middle income countries the average value of access is nearly 90 percent. On a regional basis access is worst for countries of Sub-Saharan Africa for which the average RAI is 30 percent. The paper presents some examples of how the RAI is being used by countries to inform and implement their policies. Initial time-series data are available for some countries with rather poor levels of rural access which made a strong commitment to improve this and which targeted resources accordingly. These data indicate that such countries have been able to improve access by about 3% each year.

01042056

07-3164

English

16p

2007

Transportation Research Board 86th Annual Meeting

CD-ROM

Figures (5) ; References; Tables (1)

Accessibility; Developed countries; Developing countries; Development; International relations; Low income groups; Public transit; Rural areas

Rural Access Index

International development

Sub-Saharan Africa

Economics; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Society; I10: Economics and Administration; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2007 Paper #07-3164

TRIS, TRB

Feb 8 2007 7:52PM