2006年-世界发展银行全球_Rural_Access_Index___A_Key_Development_Indicator_49页_585kb

Rural Access Index: A Key Development Indicator

Core Content

The Rural Access Index (RAI) is a headline transport indicator developed by the World Bank to highlight the critical role of transport access in reducing poverty and promoting equitable development. It is part of the IDA 14 Results Measurement System and is based on locally representative household surveys.

The RAI measures the proportion of the rural population that lives within two kilometers (approximately 20-25 minutes of walking) of an all-season road. An all-season road is defined as one that is motorable year-round by typical rural transport means such as pick-ups or trucks without four-wheel drive. The index provides a consistent and comparable measure of rural access, enabling the assessment of development progress and the impact of transport interventions.

Main Points

• Purpose of RAI: To measure rural access and its role in poverty reduction and social inclusion.
• Poverty and Isolation: Physical isolation is a major contributor to poverty. Poor populations often have to travel much farther to access basic services such as education and healthcare.
• RAI and MDGs: While transport is not explicitly mentioned in the Millennium Development Goals, it plays a vital role in achieving them by enabling access to services and reducing costs.
• Equity and Development: RAI helps to identify disparities in access between different population groups, emphasizing the need for equitable transport development.
• Impacts of Rural Access: Improved access can have varying impacts on different segments of the population, particularly by gender, age, and income level.

Key Information

• Current RAI Values:
  • For 32 IDA countries, the average RAI is 57%.
  • Sub-Saharan Africa has the lowest RAI at 30%, while South Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean have 65% and 54% respectively.
  • Non-IDA countries have a much higher average RAI of 93%.
• Definition of RAI:
  • Based on the proportion of rural people living within two kilometers of an all-season road.
  • Takes into account the local context and demographic characteristics.
• Measurement Methods:
  • Preferred method: Household surveys with questions on transport access.
  • Alternative methods: GIS-based mapping and network models for countries without suitable surveys.
• Costs:
  • Marginal cost for countries with existing surveys is low (up to one day of statistical input).
  • One-off costs for incorporating a transport access question into surveys can be up to a week of technical input.
  • Quick mapping procedures require about one month of analysis per estimate.

Applications of the Index

• Regional Rural Access Targets: RAI is used to set regional and subnational access targets.
• Sub National Analysis: It enables detailed analysis of access at the household and regional level.
• Equity in Change of Access: Helps to assess how access improvements affect different population groups.

Priorities for Action

• Monitor the RAI: Ensure regular updates and tracking of the index for all IDA countries.
• Extend Ownership: Encourage national institutions to take ownership of the RAI measurement process.
• Implement Applications: Use the index to inform policy and development strategies aimed at improving rural access.

Conclusion

The RAI serves as a vital tool for assessing the impact of transport infrastructure on rural development and poverty reduction. It emphasizes the need for equitable and sustainable transport access, particularly in low-income countries where the majority of the rural population resides. The index is designed to be adaptable, with methods for both household surveys and alternative estimation techniques, ensuring its applicability across different regions and contexts.