Household income measures are among the most significant determinants of urban life and growth. Simple procedures are presented to measure the effect of income on such variables as: (1) housing market, (2) auto ownership, (3) auto and transit-trip generation, and (4) time and distance separation of residents and work site. The data source for this study was home interview survey results from the tri- state transportation commission, describing the New York metropolitan area. The following three different assumptions of income distribution are presented: (1) a uniform increase of income for each income class, (2) low-income groups gaining at a higher rate of increase than the other income groups, and (3) middle or high-income groups gaining at a higher rate of increase. For each assumption, the associated demand for home ownership is computed. The analytical processes are presented. It is hoped that this study indicates needed revisions of data collection procedures pertaining to household income as well as for analytical work to systematically measure household income for its effects on transportation and land-use planning.
Samenvatting