Assessing Public Transport Accessibility through the PTQC System: The L'Aquila Case Study

Assessing public transport accessibility is vital for urban and regional planning. This paper examines the enhanced Austrian Public Transport Quality Classes (PTQCs) system, a standardized framework inspired by Swiss models, that assesses accessibility by integrating service frequency, transport network hierarchy, and pedestrian connectivity. The system classifies areas into seven quality levels from high-accessibility urban zones to minimally served peripheries. The study applies the enhanced PTQCs framework to L’Aquila, a central Italian city characterized by a complex topography, historical layout, and ongoing post-earthquake reconstruction. Using GIS tools, the analysis involved data collection, adaptation of criteria, and spatial evaluation. Results highlight disparities: while central corridors meet quality standards, peripheral and rebuilt districts suffer from limited service and connectivity. The analysis also adopted a comparative approach, with the Austrian city of St. Pölten and its surrounding area serving as a reference due to their comparable population and territorial size. The comparison highlighted L’Aquila’s functional gaps and confirmed the PTQCs system’s adaptability across different urban contexts. The study highlights the need for better intermodality and real-time data integration to address evolving transport demands. Its findings offer useful insights for policymakers and planners aiming to enhance public transport while promoting equity, growth, and sustainability.