01155624

Component

A large number of studies have investigated the relationship between the built environment and travel behavior. Many studies focused on built environment elements (such as land use mix and connectivity) at the local (neighborhood) level; few (particularly in the U.S. context) examined the impact of the regional location of residents although the latter could affect travel behavior more substantially than the former. Further, many studies did not explicitly address the contribution of residential self-selection to the connection. Using the 2006 data collected from a regional travel diary in Raleigh, NC, this study applies propensity score matching to explore the effects of the regional location of residences on vehicle miles driven. The authors found that residential location plays a much more important role in affecting driving behavior than residential self-selection; and that individuals who live farther away from Downtown Raleigh tend to drive more than those living closer. Therefore, outward expansion in the urban periphery is likely to increase vehicle miles traveled. This result highlights the importance of urban growth management strategies in reducing auto dependence.

01147878

10-0356

English

27p

2010

Transportation Research Board 89th Annual Meeting

DVD

Figures; Maps; References; Tables (4)

Built environment; Central business districts; Data collection; Land use planning; Mixed use development; Residential location; Travel behavior; Travel surveys

Raleigh (North Carolina)

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

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2010 Paper #10-0356

TRIS, TRB

Jan 25 2010 10:12AM