01128730

Component

Built environment is expected to play a role in active living, which integrates physical activity into daily life. In this context, a key issue facing planners and engineers is how urban and suburban residential environments are linked to auto ownership and travel choices. Using quantitatively described residential environments of travelers in Charlotte, North Carolina, this paper considers several relationships, specifically trips and modes with auto ownership and residential location. Auto ownership is lower in neighborhoods that score high on accessibility, while trips increase in accessible and walkable environments. Mode choice for work-based trips is sensitive to travel costs and environmental factors. The results of nested logit models suggest correlation between motorized modes, reflecting some reluctance to switch to non-motorized travel. Although increasing walkability and accessibility are associated with greater likelihood of walking and attendant decreases in motorized modes, drive trips remain overwhelmingly dominant. At the same time, the apparent willingness of travelers to switch to walk and transit trips for utilitarian travel purposes bodes well for the push for healthier, more active living and the environments to support it. Our findings suggest that, in environments rating high on density, connectivity, pedestrian and transit facilities, and other features of highly walkable and accessible areas, people own fewer vehicles but make more trips. They also are more likely to choose non-drive modes. For communities seeking to encourage active living and mitigate the impact of heavy use of private autos, including declining public health, long-term planning that encourages such environments may provide some relief.

01120148

09-1947

English

19p

2009

Transportation Research Board 88th Annual Meeting

DVD

Figures (5) ; References (14) ; Tables (5)

Accessibility; Automobile ownership; Environmental impacts; Mode choice; Nonmotorized transportation; Public health; Travel costs; Travel surveys; Walkability; Work trips

Charlotte (North Carolina)

Environment; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2009 Paper #09-1947

TRIS, TRB

Jan 30 2009 6:14PM