A panel data exploration of travel to work.

This paper utilises British Household Panel Survey (BHPS) data to analyse changes in travel mode and travel time to work on an individual level. The first part of the study is purely descriptive. Firstly, in order to examine the representativeness of the sample, the proportion of individuals travelling to work for each of the 10 years by each mode (British Rail/train, underground, bus or coach, motorcycle or moped, car or van driver, car or van passenger, pedal cycle, walking) is given and compared with modal-split information obtained from the National Travel Survey. A similar comparison is done for travel time. Changes in mode and travel time are then examined on an individual level and compared with the net aggregate changes. In this way, the volatility in individual behaviour, which is otherwise masked in aggregate changes, is highlighted. This is not possible in the absence of panel data. The remainder of the study investigates the factors influencing changes in mode and travel time. It would be expected that moving house and/or job are of particular importance, but other factors, such as changes in income, car ownership or household structure can also be relevant. The inter-relationship between changes in travel mode and travel time is also examined. The findings of the study will have implications for transport policy. The volatility of travel patterns reflects the flexibility of the individual's travel behaviour and thus the ease with which change can be achieved. For the covering abstract see ITRD E126595.