01556709

Component

To date, most empirical studies have applied cross-sectional designs to investigate the relationship between the built environment (BE) and travel behaviour. Since these studies cannot convincingly identify causal inference, the use of designs that provide data on multiple moments in time seems necessary. This article classifies these designs and describes how they can be applied to infer causality in this relationship. Empirical studies are used to illustrate practical applications. Although there are acknowledged practical issues, the authors recommend the use of natural experiments to assess the impact of changes in land use/infrastructure and prospective longitudinal designs to assess the impact of residential or job moves. In addition, the role of the BE can be explored by assessing the impact of (1) deliberate travel behaviour change experiments (e.g. promotion campaigns) and (2) changes in household circumstances across different spatial contexts over time. The use of randomised experimental designs is recommended for the former and prospective longitudinal designs for the latter. Ideally, comparison groups/ or comparison areas, and three or more measurement points in time will be included in all cases.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee ADD30 Transportation and Land Development. Alternate title: Multiperiod Research Designs for Causal Inference Between Built Environment and Travel Behavior

01550057

15-1890

English

18p

2015

Transportation Research Board 94th Annual Meeting

Digital/other

Figures; References; Tables

Built environment; Empirical methods; Longitudinal studies; Randomization; Travel behavior; Urban design

Design; Planning and Forecasting; Transportation (General); I20: Design and Planning of Transport Infrastructure; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2015 Paper #15-1890

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Dec 30 2014 12:41PM