Despite efforts undertaken in policy, the importance of urban design factors in determining travel behaviour is not fully understood in Australian context, thus that effective policies influencing travel patterns are difficult to formulate. An important question is that by what extent, providing bicycle/pedestrian infrastructure and programs can affect the level of walking and bicycling activities ? Answering this question needs much empirical quantitative and qualitative investigation which is in general a poorly developed subject, at least in Australia. This paper first discusses theoretical frameworks that guide the travel effects of community design. Second, it reports on methods and measures used to characterise built environments with emphasis on urban design concepts. Third, employing discrete choice models explains the influences of urban factors on travel choices in four cases study suburbs in Adelaide. Discussions follow regarding the different aspects of built environment in explaining the differences of choice modes taken especially walking and bicycling. Finally, suggestions about directions for future research are made. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E214666.
Abstract