Optimizing the Equality of Healthcare Services in Wuhan, China, Using a New Multimodal Two-Step Floating Catchment Area Model in Conjunction with the Hierarchical Maximal Accessibility Equality Model

The equity of medical services is crucial for the quality of life of a population and the sustainable development of cities. Current research on optimizing the maximal equity of medical facilities has the following limitations: (1) In the accessibility calculation models for multiple transportation...

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Main Authors: Pengfei Lu, Xiang Li, Lina Wang, Zhengbin Zhang, Danfei Zhang, Wenya Zhang, Yaru Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2220-9964/14/2/93
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author Pengfei Lu
Xiang Li
Lina Wang
Zhengbin Zhang
Danfei Zhang
Wenya Zhang
Yaru Li
author_facet Pengfei Lu
Xiang Li
Lina Wang
Zhengbin Zhang
Danfei Zhang
Wenya Zhang
Yaru Li
author_sort Pengfei Lu
collection DOAJ
description The equity of medical services is crucial for the quality of life of a population and the sustainable development of cities. Current research on optimizing the maximal equity of medical facilities has the following limitations: (1) In the accessibility calculation models for multiple transportation modes, the impact of factors such as public transport transfers and travel distance on the choice of transportation mode is often overlooked. (2) Existing spatial equity indicators are mostly derived from the overall study area, failing to fully consider the differences in population distribution and development gaps within different development zones inside the region. This study proposes a novel Incorporating Multiple Transportation Two-Step Floating Catchment Area (IMT-2SFCA) and a Hierarchical Theil-based Maximal Accessibility Equality model (HT-MAE) to optimize the equity of access to tuberculosis medical institutions in Wuhan. The findings reveal that, compared to single-mode transportation accessibility models, the multimodal accessibility model integrates the characteristics of four transportation modes, providing a more realistic reflection of residents’ access to medical services. The optimization results show a significant improvement in the equity of access to medical services across Wuhan and among different economic development zones, although the equity indicators in non-central urban areas have declined. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis and practical insights for alleviating the inequality of access to medical services across different urban layers.
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issn 2220-9964
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publishDate 2025-02-01
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series ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information
spelling doaj-art-286e077f5a04410598b879b8e91672aa2025-08-20T02:44:32ZengMDPI AGISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information2220-99642025-02-011429310.3390/ijgi14020093Optimizing the Equality of Healthcare Services in Wuhan, China, Using a New Multimodal Two-Step Floating Catchment Area Model in Conjunction with the Hierarchical Maximal Accessibility Equality ModelPengfei Lu0Xiang Li1Lina Wang2Zhengbin Zhang3Danfei Zhang4Wenya Zhang5Yaru Li6Institute of Surveying and Mapping, Information Engineering University, Zhengzhou 450052, ChinaInstitute of Surveying and Mapping, Information Engineering University, Zhengzhou 450052, ChinaSchool of Computer Science and Technology, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Zhengzhou 450001, ChinaTuberculosis Prevention and Control Office, Wuhan Institute for Tuberculosis Control, Wuhan 430030, ChinaInstitute of Surveying and Mapping, Information Engineering University, Zhengzhou 450052, ChinaInstitute of Surveying and Mapping, Information Engineering University, Zhengzhou 450052, ChinaSchool of Computer Science and Technology, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Zhengzhou 450001, ChinaThe equity of medical services is crucial for the quality of life of a population and the sustainable development of cities. Current research on optimizing the maximal equity of medical facilities has the following limitations: (1) In the accessibility calculation models for multiple transportation modes, the impact of factors such as public transport transfers and travel distance on the choice of transportation mode is often overlooked. (2) Existing spatial equity indicators are mostly derived from the overall study area, failing to fully consider the differences in population distribution and development gaps within different development zones inside the region. This study proposes a novel Incorporating Multiple Transportation Two-Step Floating Catchment Area (IMT-2SFCA) and a Hierarchical Theil-based Maximal Accessibility Equality model (HT-MAE) to optimize the equity of access to tuberculosis medical institutions in Wuhan. The findings reveal that, compared to single-mode transportation accessibility models, the multimodal accessibility model integrates the characteristics of four transportation modes, providing a more realistic reflection of residents’ access to medical services. The optimization results show a significant improvement in the equity of access to medical services across Wuhan and among different economic development zones, although the equity indicators in non-central urban areas have declined. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis and practical insights for alleviating the inequality of access to medical services across different urban layers.https://www.mdpi.com/2220-9964/14/2/93spatial accessibilitymultiple transportation modesequalityhealthcare services
spellingShingle Pengfei Lu
Xiang Li
Lina Wang
Zhengbin Zhang
Danfei Zhang
Wenya Zhang
Yaru Li
Optimizing the Equality of Healthcare Services in Wuhan, China, Using a New Multimodal Two-Step Floating Catchment Area Model in Conjunction with the Hierarchical Maximal Accessibility Equality Model
ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information
spatial accessibility
multiple transportation modes
equality
healthcare services
title Optimizing the Equality of Healthcare Services in Wuhan, China, Using a New Multimodal Two-Step Floating Catchment Area Model in Conjunction with the Hierarchical Maximal Accessibility Equality Model
title_full Optimizing the Equality of Healthcare Services in Wuhan, China, Using a New Multimodal Two-Step Floating Catchment Area Model in Conjunction with the Hierarchical Maximal Accessibility Equality Model
title_fullStr Optimizing the Equality of Healthcare Services in Wuhan, China, Using a New Multimodal Two-Step Floating Catchment Area Model in Conjunction with the Hierarchical Maximal Accessibility Equality Model
title_full_unstemmed Optimizing the Equality of Healthcare Services in Wuhan, China, Using a New Multimodal Two-Step Floating Catchment Area Model in Conjunction with the Hierarchical Maximal Accessibility Equality Model
title_short Optimizing the Equality of Healthcare Services in Wuhan, China, Using a New Multimodal Two-Step Floating Catchment Area Model in Conjunction with the Hierarchical Maximal Accessibility Equality Model
title_sort optimizing the equality of healthcare services in wuhan china using a new multimodal two step floating catchment area model in conjunction with the hierarchical maximal accessibility equality model
topic spatial accessibility
multiple transportation modes
equality
healthcare services
url https://www.mdpi.com/2220-9964/14/2/93
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