Using GPS data loggers to measure rural accessibility in South Africa

Abstract

Rural accessibility continues to be a challenge in South Africa. This is due largely to past policies that forced residents to locate to homelands. Although political regimes have changed the effects of past policies remain. In order to better understand the nature of accessibility, particularly individual accessibility it is important to apply appropriate technologies. Normally aggregate spatial accessibility measures are used – however here an attempt was made to focus on individuals. This paper explores the use of GPS data loggers and its potential contribution to understanding rural travel behaviour