Access Delayed is Access Denied

The maxim "justice delayed is justice denied" is a well-known principle in the legal world, emphasising the importance of timely justice. We should extend this concept to the realm of access. Delayed access equates to denied access, with all of the efficiency and equity losses that follow. The timely provision of access is crucial for individuals to advantage themselves on opportunities and improve their quality of life.

Access and Its Definition

Access is a multifaceted concept that encompasses the ability of individuals or groups to meet their needs and achieve their goals. It is not merely about physical proximity but also involves economic, social, and psychological dimensions. In Towards a General Theory of Access, the generalised access for a place (i) is given by the product of some function (g) of the number of opportunities (O’) and some function (f) of the costs (C) of travel to all other places (j):

\( \mathbf{A_{i}} = \sum\limits_{j=1}^J \left( g(\mathbf{O'_{j}}) f(\mathbf{C_{ij}}) \right) \)

\( . \)

Net Present Value and Access

The concept of Net Present Value (NPV) is a fundamental principle in engineering economics we ought to apply to the evaluation of access. NPV allows us to assess the value of future access by discounting it to its present value. This approach helps in comparing the value of access provided today versus access provided in the future, discounting based on the interest rate (r) and duration (l).

A typical discounting function looks like:

\( \Lambda(r,l) = \left((1+r)^{-l}\right)\)

Lifecycle Access

In Towards a General Theory of Access we integrate these two ideas to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding and evaluating access over time. This theory emphasizes the importance of considering the entire lifecycle of access, from its inception to its eventual decline. Access in the future is less valuable than access today.

\( \mathbf{A_{i,\Lambda}} = \sum\limits_{l=1}^L \left( \left( \sum\limits_{j=1}^J g(\mathbf{O'_{j,l}}) f(\mathbf{C_{ij,l}}) \right) \Lambda(r,l) \right)\)

Valuation of Access

Access can be valued in various ways, depending on the context. For instance, in engineering economics, traditional value of travel time savings estimates are used to assess the value of access. In real estate, market valuations reflect (and discount) the expected future access in today's land values. We can compare these two approaches.

Maximising Access

To maximize access, it is essential to consider not only the pace of development but also the sequence of development. Contiguous (rather than leapfrog) development, as described in A Random Walk Down Main Street, enhances access for a given amount of development. Similarly, the strategic sequencing of infrastructure projects, such as transit, roads, footpaths, and bike lanes, can be used to optimise access within a fixed budget.

Planning and Evaluation

Planners often focus too much on the end state of development, neglecting the importance of immediate actions, the next step in the direction of their vision.¹ It is crucial to evaluate the full social costs and benefits of decisions over time, as highlighted by Cui and Levinson. This holistic approach ensures that development projects maximise societal returns and access.

Effective Accessibility (E/Access)

Effective (Transport) Accessibility: (E/Access) can be viewed as trying to simultaneously maximise the efficiency and equity of transport systems.

How one weights efficiency vs. equity is inherently a political question, of course, though one can try to estimate the trade-off, and how much people would be willing to pay to avoid place-based social exclusion - observing that trips are more important for those with lower income is one way of unifying these two sometimes disparate goals.

E/Access vs. E/Acc , Efficiency, and and Risk

E/Accelerationism (E/Acc),² deals with the accelerating development of unknown technologies to foster human well-being (on the not entirely unreasonable theory that technology has driven human well-being in the past, so more technology will bring about more well-being).

The concept of Effective Accessibility (E/Access) is also related to the idea of maximising future returns for the good of society. In contrast, though E/Access focuses on the deployment of known technologies (transport, land development), in ways that maximise benefits, taking advantage of known “free lunches”, thereby reducing risk and uncertainty.

As argued by the Companion Innovation Hypothesis, the improvement of transport access is itself a driver of technological and social acceleration. By investing in and advancing transport technologies and better locating activities, societies foster faster economic growth, enhance connectivity, and develop other technologies more rapidly. This aligns with the accelerationist viewpoint that technological progress can lead to radical social change.

Effective Accessibility and Justice

Effective Altruism (EA),³ aims to use evidence to benefit as many people in need as possible. While often focusing on things like vaccines, there are many place-based strategies that fit the bill.

In the context of EA, E/Access should be seen as a crucial area of focus. Improving transport access can have a wide-reaching impact on poverty reduction, economic development, and overall quality of life. For example, better transport improves access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities, particularly in underdeveloped regions. EA would advocate for investments in transport that are proven to have the most significant positive impact on the well-being of the greatest number of people.

Conclusion

The principle of "access delayed is access denied" underscores the importance of timely and strategic provision of access. By applying the concepts of lifecycle access and strategically considering the total benefits and their distribution, we can maximise access and ensure that development projects yield the greatest benefit for society.

When Effective (Transport) Access (E/Access) intersects with Effective Altruism (EA) and Effective Accelerationism (E/Acc), it points towards strategic investments in transport that not only accelerate technological and economic progress but also maximise social welfare and equity.

Image of city by DallE. Here is a single image depicting a transect of an urban region. On the left, there is a green-field with no city, just open land with sparse vegetation. On the right, there is a thriving, high-density urban environment with modern buildings and vibrant streets, with no cars visible. The image transitions smoothly from the left side to the right side, with a continuous sky and earth throughout. The urban area fades into the green-field area, creating a seamless transition. [Author’s note, Dall-E lies.]

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Text enhanced by ChatGPT4.

1. My previous writings suggest I am dubious of the ability to forecast, so would hesitate to suggest laying out a detailed sequence of investments, but the next step has to be budgeted for before the following step, by definition.

2. Effective Accelerationism (E/acc): Accelerationism, in broad terms, is a theory or attitude that endorses speeding up the processes of capitalism and technological development, either to bring about a post-capitalist society or to generate radical social change. Effective Accelerationism might refer to a strategic and thoughtful approach to this acceleration, considering the long-term impacts and aiming for beneficial outcomes.

3. Effective Altruism (EA): This is a philosophy and social movement that applies evidence and reason to determine the most effective ways to benefit others. EA focuses on using resources (like time and money) to maximize positive impact, often by addressing global issues like poverty, health inequities, or existential risks.