2022 Volume 78 Issue 6 Pages II_168-II_181
This study estimated the effect of abolishing local railways on social population change by age group in station catchment areas using propensity score matching for stations abolished between 1981 and 1990. Results indicate that abolishing local railways had a statistically negative impact on social change for 10-14 years old at the beginning of the study period, including those who will graduate from high school within five years. Negative impacts were also observed for 30-34 and 35-39 years old, including those who will have life events such as child rearing and marriage; and 60-64 and 65-69 years old. In addition, we revealed that abolishing local railways had a negative impact on long-term social change on those in their 20s and 50s at the beginning of the study period.
