Measures designed to discourage automobile use and encourage use of alternate modes need to be carefully evaluated to avoid unintended consequences. A travel demand model with an integrated spatial allocation land use module was used to expand the analysis beyond the narrow question of how mode choice changes within the zones that are subject to the `transit-friendly' parking policies. Travel supply and costs to zones with parking restrictions can be adjusted in the model to reflect the restrictions. Discouragement of car use to some locations of auto travel `costs' influences not only mode choice, but can, over time, lead to changes in destination choice and land use patterns that can be detrimental in public transportation. The extent to which such land use changes will take place will depend, in large part, on the nature and implementation of existing land use policy. The desired reduction in auto traffic is only possible if appropriate parking and business location policies are coordinated and are enforced. A stringent parking policy without considering its long term impacts on land use development is likely to have little impact on network wide auto use, but can cause a substantial decline in public transport ridership. (A)
Abstract