2013 Session: 453

• Empirical Investigation of Measurement of Land Use Mix in the Context of Public Transport Demand
  Abstract: Numerous studies have examined the link between the mixing of land uses and travel behaviour, operationalizing land use mix in diverse ways. However, few studies have attempted to compare the various land use mix metrics employed in travel behaviour research. In particular, an empirical model of travel demand that tests the wide range of measures used in past studies is, to our knowledge, absent in the literature. In this paper, we estimate a model for public transport trip frequency in London, in which we apply a number of distinct land use mix measures. We define land use mix both in terms of counts of establishments and land area to further investigate whether the unit of measurement of land uses affects model results. We find that, although not all measures applied are significant in explaining public transport demand, elasticities for measures that are significant in the model are comparable. Moreover, model results allow us to draw some general conclusions regarding the suitability of different metrics in the context of public transport demand.
  Authors: Karathodorou, Niovi; Graham, Daniel
  Authors: Karathodorou, Niovi; Graham, Daniel
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Planning and Forecasting; Policy; Economics; Public Transportation
  Session: 453
  Paper Number: 13-1759
• Does TOD Need the T? Auto use, residential sorting, and access to rail
  Abstract: Smart growth planning often focuses on building new housing near rail stations, on the assumption that transit-oriented development can reduce driving and therefore mitigate climate change, pollution and congestion. But research has rarely investigated how transit-oriented development affects auto use—or asked whether new development should be oriented away from autos, rather than toward rail. This study addresses two questions. First, do households choosing new housing near rail stations have different patterns of auto ownership and use? Second, are those differences a result of rail access, or other factors associated with rail access? Previous studies have not used comparable data to compare nearby and farther away housing units; have lacked data on parking supply; have not controlled for characteristics of the housing itself, particularly the age of the housing; and have generally failed to account for how residential choices may affect TOD housing outcomes. I surveyed over 1,100 households within two miles of ten rail stations, and conducted a field count of over 6,200 on-street parking spaces on 818 block faces near the stations. The household survey collected information on housing characteristics, parking, travel, and household demographics as well as stated residential choice criteria to control for heterogeneity in preferences. The survey data were geocoded and joined to on-street parking supply data and other spatial data from secondary sources. I used regression analysis to examine how housing, parking, neighborhood and subregional spatial characteristics are correlated with automobile ownership, commuting, and grocery trips. Auto ownership and use is much lower among households living in new housing near rail stations, but these differences are not explained by rail access. Off- and on-street parking availability, housing type and tenure, local and subregional density, and bus service are much more highly correlated with residential choices and subsequent auto ownership and travel. Rail access is associated with lower auto use when combined with factors like parking supply and housing type, but rail by itself has little explanatory power. I conclude that the details of TOD matter, and some of the things that “work” about TOD have little or nothing to do with rail access by itself. Planners should broaden efforts to develop dense, mixed-use housing beyond rail station areas. Denser housing development coupled with good management of automobile parking and improved bus service could be more effective, and less expensive, than a development policy oriented around rail stations.
  Authors: Chatman, Daniel G.
  Authors: Chatman, Daniel G.
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Planning and Forecasting; Policy; Economics; Public Transportation
  Session: 453
  Paper Number: 13-5164
  Practice-Ready: Yes
• Combined Effects of Compact Development, Transportation Investments, and Road User Pricing on Vehicle Miles Traveled in Urbanized Areas
  Abstract: The new federal surface transportation act, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), passed by Congress and signed into law by the president in July 2012 advances several goals, including improving safety, reducing traffic congestion, and “minimizing transportation-related fuel consumption and air pollution” (Section 1201:134, p. 278). All of the above depend on vehicle miles traveled or VMT. Previous studies have analyzed the impact of compact development, transportation investments, and highway user costs on VMT. This study expands on previous work, using more recent data, additional metrics, and structural equation modeling to explain VMT levels of urbanized areas and to test the effects of various policy and planning levers. 
  Authors: Ewing, Reid; Hamidi, Shima; Nelson, Arthur C.; Grace, James B.
  Authors: Ewing, Reid; Hamidi, Shima; Nelson, Arthur C.; Grace, James B.
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Planning and Forecasting; Policy; Economics; Public Transportation
  Session: 453
  Paper Number: 13-5230
• Beyond the Built Environment at Home: Does Compact Development Along Commuting Routes Reduce Driving and Conserve Fuel?
  Abstract: While extensive research has investigated how the built environment near people’s homes and work places influence automobile travel behavior, little is known about how commuting routes affect travel outcomes. This article presents an empirical study of the influences of the built environment along commuting routes on vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and fuel consumption for non-work automobile travel. Using a unique Global Positioning Systems (GPS) dataset collected from automobile trips of 46 drivers from the Southeast Michigan area over a 30 day time frame, this study identifies the actual commuting routes for all drivers and derives their fuel consumption for non-work travel. The results do not support the contention that commuting routes characterized by more compact and mixed-use development have the effect of reducing non-work VMT and fuel consumption. This study is unique in its focus on the commuting routes and in establishing a method for using GPS data in transportation and land-use research, and it offers suggestions for refining the modeling of travel behavior along commuting routes.
  Authors: Wang, Xiaoguang; Grengs, Joe; Kostyniuk, Lidia P.
  Authors: Wang, Xiaoguang; Grengs, Joe; Kostyniuk, Lidia P.
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Planning and Forecasting; Policy; Economics; Public Transportation
  Session: 453
  Paper Number: 13-0107
• Do Residents of Smart Growth Neighborhoods in Los Angeles Travel “Smarter”?
  Abstract: Using individual trip diary from the recent 2009 National Household Travel Survey, we study the impact of different aspects of smart growth patterns on commute mode choice, daily work travel mode choice and non-work travel mode choice for individuals living in different neighborhoods in the Los Angels MSA. We include socioeconomic measures of smart growth in our models, in addition to the commonly used physical smart growth development patterns (i.e. built environment). Model results consistently show that the transportation infrastructure diversity and quality is the most important aspect of smart growth patterns that has a substantial effect on commute mode choice, daily work and non-work travel mode choice. Moreover, housing mix in a neighborhood increases the likelihood of choosing walking/cycling for daily work trips and daily non-work trips. Socioeconomic diversity of a neighborhood reduces the likelihood of choosing walking/cycling for daily non-work trips. After taking into account these three indices, the rest two indices--residential density and mixed land use--only have insignificant impact on travel mode choice. Overall, people living in smart growth neighborhoods in Los Angeles do travel “smarter”, in terms of using environmentally more sustainable (bus and train) and healthier (walking and cycling) travel modes.
  Authors: Zhu, Pengyu; Dong, Hongwei
  Authors: Zhu, Pengyu; Dong, Hongwei
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Planning and Forecasting; Policy; Economics; Public Transportation
  Session: 453
  Paper Number: 13-3476
• Beyond the Built Environment at Home: Does Compact Development Along Commuting Routes Reduce Driving and Conserve Fuel?
  Authors: Wang, Xiaoguang
  Authors: Wang, Xiaoguang
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: AICP Certification Maintenance Session; Economics; Planning and Forecasting; Policy; Public Transportation
  Session: 453
  Paper Number: 13-0107
• Empirical Investigation of Measurement of Land Use Mix in the Context of Public Transport Demand
  Authors: Karathodorou, Niovi
  Authors: Karathodorou, Niovi
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: AICP Certification Maintenance Session; Economics; Planning and Forecasting; Policy; Public Transportation
  Session: 453
  Paper Number: 13-1759
• Do Residents of Smart Growth Neighborhoods in Los Angeles Travel "Smarter"?
  Authors: Zhu, Pengyu
  Authors: Zhu, Pengyu
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: AICP Certification Maintenance Session; Economics; Planning and Forecasting; Policy; Public Transportation
  Session: 453
  Paper Number: 13-3476
• Combined Effects of Compact Development, Transportation Investments, and Road User Pricing on Vehicle Miles Traveled in Urbanized Areas
  Authors: Ewing, Reid
  Authors: Ewing, Reid
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: AICP Certification Maintenance Session; Economics; Planning and Forecasting; Policy; Public Transportation
  Session: 453
  Paper Number: 13-5230
• Does TOD Need the T? Auto use, residential sorting, and access to rail
  Authors: Chatman, Daniel
  Authors: Chatman, Daniel
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: AICP Certification Maintenance Session; Economics; Planning and Forecasting; Policy; Public Transportation
  Session: 453
  Paper Number: 13-5164