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Title:

INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN ON PEDESTRIAN TRAVEL BEHAVIOR IN FOUR AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOODS

Accession Number:

00743142

Record Type:

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Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309061687

Abstract:

Results of a pedestrian survey conducted in two pairs of Austin, Texas, neighborhoods that possess either pedestrian-oriented or automobile-oriented transportation system, land use, and design characteristics but similar density, housing, and sociodemographic characteristics are reported. Survey results identify the influence of contrasting neighborhood forms on structural characteristics of walk-activity patterns and attitudes as mediated by personal characteristics. Walk-activity patterns significantly vary between neighborhoods with different accessibility characteristics. In the physically accessible neighborhoods, walks are predominantly short and frequent utilitarian trips that involve more secondary activities. Activity in the less accessible neighborhoods is characterized by longer, less frequent recreational walks that involve fewer secondary activities. Results support the conclusion that neighborhood transportation, land use, and design characteristics influence walk distance, duration, purpose, and number of secondary activities. The importance of walking in general and for specific purposes also varies with the relative levels of environmental variables. In the traditional neighborhoods, walkable distances, access to transit, shops, and work are important, as is the opportunity to be outdoors. In the modern neighborhoods, walkway continuity, trees, and interesting things to look at are more important environmental attributes, as is the opportunity to maintain health. Accessibility affects walk activities as well as associated attitudes, but it is mediated through personal factors such as number of household cars, number of children, and household size. Evidence that pedestrians more highly value the available opportunities for walking suggests that latent predilections towards walking shape residential preferences.

Supplemental Notes:

This paper appears in Transportation Research Record No. 1578, Pedestrian and Bicycle Research 1997.

Language:

English

Corporate Authors:

Transportation Research Board

500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001 United States

Authors:

Shriver, K

Pagination:

p. 64-75

Publication Date:

1997

Serial:

Transportation Research Record

Issue Number: 1578
Publisher: Transportation Research Board
ISSN: 0361-1981

ISBN:

0309061687

Features:

Figures (3) ; References (23) ; Tables (5)

Geographic Terms:

Subject Areas:

Design; Environment; Highways; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Planning and Forecasting; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning

Files:

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Created Date:

Nov 19 1997 12:00AM

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