Passenger Mobility in a Discontinuous Space: Modelling Access/Egress to Maritime Barrier in a Case Study

The present study analyses a transport system in a discontinuous space. Classical specifications of transport models cannot be applied directly when evaluating the influence of territorial discontinuity and related barriers on user behaviour. Adjustments are required for this specific case because studies relative to discontinuous spaces are limited. The influence concerns the different travel components (access, barrier, on board, and egress) and could impact travel choices (departure time, destination, mode, and path). In this paper, the models refer to access and egress components with a focus on the mode of travel choice level. The paper focusses on the influence of discontinuity, introducing some adjustments to the classical demand models used to simulate discontinuity crossing. The main variables influencing the user’s choice, and their relative weight in discontinuous space, are investigated. These elements are fundamental for any planning and design procedures to improve the quality of mobility. In the paper, the case study of the Strait of Messina in southern Italy is analysed. In this case, the barrier is constituted by the sea that physically separates the two shores. In this work, only strait crossings via hydrofoil, from Reggio Calabria to Messina, are considered in random sample interviews.