Investigating the influence of transport accessibility on urban–rural income gaps

Transport accessibility is an essential element in the planning of transport policies and plays a crucial role in territorial cohesion, but the role of transport accessibility for urban–rural integration has been rarely studied. This article explores the relationship between transport accessibility and urban–rural income gaps through the spatial error model, using the weighted average travel time (WATT) indicator and the Theil index of urban–rural income. The results show that transport accessibility has a U-shaped influence on the urban–rural income gaps within cities of China. As transport accessibility gradually improves, the urban–rural income gaps within cities tend to first narrow and then widen. Meanwhile, their relationship can show heterogeneity across regions, with improving transport accessibility and narrowing the urban–rural income gaps in the eastern and western cities, respectively. Such a result suggests that it is essential to reinforce transport links between western cities and other cities with high economic potential, which could improve transport accessibility and further narrow the urban–rural income gaps of western cities. For transport planning, policymakers should consider transport accessibility and its socio-economic impact on urban–rural integration.