Travel minimisation and the 'Neighbourhood'.

Author(s)
Curtis, C. & Olaru, D.
Year
Abstract

Since the 1940s planners have pursued the notion of the neighbourhood and of self-containment, both aimed at achieving local trip making. It is arguable that transit oriented development is a reincarnation of these ideas. Both concepts appear strongly relevant today in the context of sustainability and travel minimisation. But to what extent do residents actually minimise travel, and what type of resident? Our research investigates the population groups living within three station precincts along a new suburban railway through southern Perth suburbs to Mandurah (Western Australia). We examine the place of travel minimisation (in terms of car-based travel) in the residents decision to locate to the precinct and in the subsequent travel patterns of residents. Using travel diaries we report on the differences by household type, exploring also how the household negotiates travel reduction, and on the differences between work and non-work travel. The paper evaluates the travel impact of different accessibility opportunities ranging from congenial configurations of railway station precincts, containing a variety of shops, services, and other attractions to station precincts acting primarily as origin stations or transit interchanges. We explore the relationship between travel patterns and access to different activity opportunities. Rich factual data about travel, physical activity, relocation, and valuation of neighbourhood features is complemented by a stated choice experiment on location decision.at accessibility features affect the willingness to use non-motorised travel and conduct more physical activity, and this relation is stronger for residents who appreciate the physical characteristics of their neighbourhood. There are also linkages between residential choice, trip chaining, and the household type. We expect our conclusions to show that where local opportunities are provided people do reduce travel, but that this is tempered by socio-demographic characteristics. This research will provide much needed empirical evidence to support future city planning decisions through the integration of land use and sustainable transport modes. For the covering abstract see ITRD E137145.

Request publication

6 + 5 =
Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.

Publication

Library number
C 42116 (In: C 41981 CD-ROM) /10 / ITRD E137081
Source

In: Proceedings of the European Transport Conference ETC, Noordwijkerhout, near Leiden, The Netherlands, 17-19 October 2007, 23p 35 ref.

Our collection

This publication is one of our other publications, and part of our extensive collection of road safety literature, that also includes the SWOV publications.