Making mobility matter: Economic evidence from public valuation of inclusive mobility technology in South Korea

초록

Objectives: This study examines the underlying demand for assistive technologies among the general public and estimates willingness to pay for inclusive design features across demographic groups. These preference parameters are translated into welfare measures, demonstrating that assistive technologies serve as vital social infrastructure generating public value beyond conventional medical benchmarks. Methods: A discrete-choice experiment examined preferences for power-assisted wheelchairs (PAWs), an innovation connecting disability support with universal accessibility. A random utility model captured preference heterogeneity, while a cost–benefit framework was used to assess the net social benefit of incorporating PAWs into the public insurance benefit system. Results: The analysis reveals preference heterogeneity across geographic and demographic dimensions: Seoul residents place a significant premium on maneuverability, while younger respondents show stronger preference for this attribute. Despite this variation, PAWs that combine high portability with IoT-enabled features could achieve broad market appeal even when priced above conventional fully-powered wheelchairs. The cost–benefit analysis indicates that all scenarios yielded a positive net social benefit. Conclusions: Focusing on the general public rather than current users highlights the insurance value of inclusive mobility, recognizing that today's non-users may become future beneficiaries whose perceptions shape policy relevance and market potential. The findings emphasize that mobility aids should be framed as a long-term investment in collective well-being rather than a marginal provision. Further, the results suggest that differentiated policy designs tailored to user profiles and environmental fits are essential for improving resource allocation efficiency and social equity in an aging society.

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