Accessibility Analysis for Healthcare Centers using Gravity Model and Geospatial Techniques

Shanmathi Rekha Raju; Shayesta Wajid; Nisha Radhakrishnan; Samson Mathew

doi:10.6092/1970-9870/6414

Shanmathi Rekha Raju National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8488-301X
Shayesta Wajid National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli
Nisha Radhakrishnan National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli
Samson Mathew National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli

DOI: https://doi.org/10.6092/1970-9870/6414

Keywords: Spatial Accessibility, Gravity Model, Geospatial techniques, Healthcare Management

Abstract

India’s healthcare facilities continue to be limited and the current number of hospitals is not sufficient to meet the demands of the increasing population. In this study the multi-specialty hospitals handling sudden trauma such as cardiac arrests, strokes, burns, accidents, and major illnesses that were considered and analyzed for the ease of access within the city. The spatial accessibility index is measured using the Modified Three-step Floating Catchment Area which incorporates emergency factors in addition to travel time in travel impedance function. The findings shows that all hospitals are currently found to be collectively located near to the city center and wards located in the periphery of the city having very low spatial access to healthcare facilities. The index also aids in delineating the healthcare deprived areas and over-served areas within the city. This identification is essential for the future planning of new healthcare services, to improve the capacity and ease of access to the existing healthcare facilities. The model of this investigative study can be extended further to all cities to assist in the pre-planning for provision of adequate healthcare facilities. Such information will be advantageous, to public health officials and policy/decision makers involved in urban expansion planning, for ensuring better and quicker access to health services with minimum delay in the event of emergencies.

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Author Biographies

Shanmathi Rekha Raju, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli

She is presently a doctoral research scholar of Civil Engineering in National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli. The Remote Sensing and GIS is the specialization of her master degree from Anna University. Her research topic concerns the spatial accessibility of urban facilities using geospatial techniques, to maximize the accessibility of the habitants which also reduces the mobility, traffic congestion and pollution of the environment. She also interested in spatial planning, transportation planning, mobility and accessibility by people in the society.

Shayesta Wajid, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli

She is the former master student with a specialization in Transportation Engineering and Management at Department of Civil Engineering in National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli. Her area of interest is transportation planning, network analysis and accident analysis.

Nisha Radhakrishnan, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli

She is Associate professor of National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli from 2009. She pursued PhD in Global Positioning System from Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai and Masters also from the same institute with Remote Sensing as specialization. Since 2009 she has been involved in studies of Remote Sensing, GPS, GIS and urban planning. She is in this teaching and research field from 2009, also she is the principal investigator of two National project sponsored by Department of Science and Technology under Ministry of Human Resources Development, India. She has numerous publications in International and National level.

Samson Mathew, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli

He is Professor of Civil Engineering in National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India. He has over 26 years of experience in teaching, research and consultancy in the field of Traffic & Transportation Planning. At NIT Tiruchirappalli, he heads the Centre of Excellence in Transportation Engineering and holds the dean (Students Welfare) position. Currently he is the Director of National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC), an Institute of Kerala State Council for Science, Technology & Environment. Prof. Samson has published technical paper in top-rated journals and presenter at various National and International conferences. He is also a life member of the professional organizations such as Indian Roads Congress, Indian Society for Technical Education, Institute of Urban Transport, Institute of Engineers and Transport Research Group (TRG) of India. He has successfully completed many sponsored projects from Ministry of Human Resources Development, Govt. of India, National Rural Road Development Agency, Ministry of Urban Development, Coir Board and National Highway Authority of India.

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