## [SCARP PhD Muskan Verma's paper on vehicle ownership & transport equity](/news/2025/scarp-phd-muskan-vermas-paper-vehicle-ownership-transport-equity) ![Woman in cobblestone street among heavy foliage](/sites/default/files/styles/max_480w/public/announcement-images/2025-10/muskan-verma-wide.jpeg.webp?itok=lglDrsm1) October 30, 2025 Share- [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2F"e= "Share on Facebook") - [ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?source=https%3A%2F%2F&text=:%20https%3A%2F%2F "Tweet") - [ ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2F&title=&summary=&source=https%3A%2F%2F "Share on LinkedIn") - [ ](mailto:?subject=&body=:%20https%3A%2F%2F "Send email") We're happy to share that SCARP PhD student Muskan Verma has co-written a new paper in the Journal of the Transportation Research Forum, Volume 60. ### More about Journal of the Transportation Research Forum Research in Transportation Economics is a journal devoted to the dissemination of high quality economics research in the field of transportation. The content covers a wide variety of topics relating to the economic aspects of transportation, government regulatory policies regarding transportation, and issues of concern to transportation industry planners. The unifying theme throughout the papers is the application of economic theory and/or applied economic methodologies to transportation questions. The ultimate goal of Research in Transportation Economics is to provide transportation researchers a valuable source of information useful in the formulation of transport policy and industry decision making. [More about the journal](https://www.sciencedirect.com/special-issue/10Z8C8WB0BN) Muskan's article: #### Analysis of the spatial range advantage of vehicle owners and its implications on vehicle ownership aspirations: Insights from India and takeaways for transportation equity - By Sandip Chakrabarti, JSW Chair in Innovation and Public Policy, Public Systems Group, Centre for Transportation and Logistics, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, Ahmedabad, India - and Muskan Verma, School of Community and Regional Planning, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada ### Full abstract (click to expand) The existence, causes, and consequences of the accessibility advantage offered by personal motorized vehicles relative to alternative modes have been explored in the literature. We use data from a relatively understudied geographical context to estimate the magnitude and analyze the implications of the disparity in spatial range, specifically the 60-min travel range – i.e., the maximum distance that can be covered, on average, via the multimodal transportation network – between personal motorized vehicle owners and non-owners. A higher travel range within a specified time window may indicate greater accessibility to opportunities. We use nationally representative survey data comprising over 178,000 households across India to first examine whether and to what extent household vehicle ownership is associated with a relative 60-min travel range advantage. Using an experience- and perception-based measure of household-level travel range, we find that the 60-min travel range of vehicle-owning households is at least 10 % more than vehicle-less households. This travel range advantage is relatively greater in rural and low-density areas and locations with limited public transit services. Next, we analyze whether the 60-min travel range determines the aspiration of owning a household vehicle. In urban areas, a one-km lower 60-min travel range is associated with about 5 % higher odds of aspiring to own a car. Our analysis highlights that existing vehicle owners in India enjoy a potential spatial travel range advantage relative to non-owners, and that this advantage promotes latent demand for vehicle ownership in urban areas. Closing the gap can ensure equity in accessibility and reduce personal vehicle dependence. Muskan's work takes it as principle that socioeconomic circumstances and vehicle ownership status should not determine whether and how easily people can reach distant activities or other opportunities, especially ones that determine their well-being. However, everything from market imperfections to 'planning failures' have led to a disadvantage for those who do not own or use personal motorized vehicles (mainly cars) due to economic, health-related, or other personal circumstances or preferences. "Closing the gap can ensure equity in accessibility and reduce personal vehicle dependence." On these insights, Muskan reflects: ![Woman in red dress leaning against a post by a brick wall](/sites/default/files/styles/max_325x325/public/2025-10/muskan-verma-websize.jpg.webp?itok=uSS1qVV3) > Understanding the travel gap between vehicle owners and non-owners reveals more than mobility patterns—it highlights inequities in accessibility. > > Closing this gap is not just about transport efficiency; it is about creating a fairer, more inclusive urban mobility. [Read the article](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.retrec.2025.101661) Image ![Woman on cobblestone sidewalk surrounded by foliage](/sites/default/files/styles/original_image/public/2025-10/muskan-verma-square.jpeg.webp?itok=CzI9L1D0) ### More about Muskan Verma There is insufficient understanding of how diverse women’s lived mobility experiences inform justice claims, how these claims are negotiated through planning processes, and whether resulting policies advance mobility justice for all women or reproduce existing inequalities. As a result, women remain underserved, resources benefit already-advantaged populations, policies address symptoms without transforming root causes. Muskan's research aims to inquire how diverse women’s experiences translate through negotiated planning processes into policy outcomes to advance mobility justice. [More about Muskan Verma](/directory/muskan-verma "Muskan Verma") ### **A thriving research collaborative at UBC SCARP** UBC's School of Community and Regional Planning is a leader in both education and research. We're proud to celebrate the powerful insights of our students as they progress their research and give new insights to the world even while they're still students. [**Some more student research projects**](/student-research "Student Research") We can't wait to see where Muskan's research will take this important conversation next. Congrats! - Research and projects ### Latest Related News - Posted on October 5, 2026 ## [SARP postdoc Keisha Maloney publishes paper about planning education](/news/2026/sarp-postdoc-keisha-maloney-publishes-paper-about-planning-education) - Posted on September 28, 2026 ## [Mike Hooper's article about the value of urban local government](/news/2026/mike-hoopers-article-about-value-of-urban-local-government) - Posted on September 21, 2026 ## [SCARP PhD Julia Kidder wins Peter Wall Award](/news/2026/scarp-phd-julia-kidder-wins-peter-wall-award) [VIEW MORE NEWS](/news)