Differentiating the Influence of Accessibility, Attitudes, and Demographics on Stop Participation and Frequency during the Evening Commute

Cao, X.(J.); Mokhtarian, P.L.; Handy, S.L., 2008, in Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design

doi:10.1068/b32056
Location Northern California, USA
Population General
Sample size 1256
Factor analysis type principal components, Oblique rotation
Stepwise regression no
Removal of insignificant variables yes
Reviewed by LCM

Abstract

Understanding the stop-making behavior of commuters is important for planners and policy makers in their efforts to improve travel demand models and to develop transportation demand management strategies. Previous studies have identified various determinants of commuters' stop generation. However, the way in which accessibility affects stop-making decisions is not clear. Further, few studies have considered the impacts of attitudes and predispositions, which extensively influence travel behavior. Using 1256 commuters in Northern California, this study investigates the influences of accessibility and attitudes on evening commute stop-making behavior. Based on a bivariate selection model, we found that the propensity of workers to make stops is dependent on their attitudes, work-related attributes, neighborhood accessibility, and sociodemographic characteristics, whereas the frequency of trip chaining is primarily determined by sociodemographic characteristics. Accordingly, if we offer commuters opportunities to stop through land-use and transportation policies, they may tend to do so, but the intensity of chaining behavior depends on household needs, the individual's role in the household, and personal time constraints.

Factors

Variable Pattern loading
Easy access to a regional shopping mall (Res preference/perception) 0.854
Easy access to downtown (Res preference/perception) 0.83
Other amenities such as a community center available nearby (Res preference/perception) 0.667
Shopping areas with walking distance (Res preference/perception) 0.652
Easy access to the freeway (Res preference/perception) 0.528
Good public transit service (bus or rail) (Res preference/perception) 0.437
Variable Pattern loading
Attractive appearance of neighborhood (Res preference/perception) 0.78
High level of upkeep in neighborhood (Res preference/perception) 0.723
Variety in housing styles (Res preference/perception) 0.68
Big street trees (Res preference/perception) 0.451
Variable Pattern loading
Large back yards (Res preference/perception) 0.876
Large front yards (Res preference/perception) 0.858
Lots of off-street parking (garages or driveways) (Res preference/perception) 0.562
Big street trees (Res preference/perception) 0.404
Variable Pattern loading
Bike routes beyond the neighborhood (Res preference/perception) 0.882
Sidewalks throughout the neighborhood (Res preference/perception) 0.707
Parks and open spaces nearby (Res preference/perception) 0.637
Good public transit service (bus or rail) (Res preference/perception) 0.353
Variable Pattern loading
Quiet neighborhood (Res preference/perception) 0.78
low crime rate within neighborhood (Safety) 0.759
Low level of car traffic on neighborhood streets (Res preference/perception) 0.752
Safe neighborhood for walking (Safety) 0.741
Safe neighborhood for kids to play outdoors (Res preference/perception) 0.634
Good street lighting (Safety) 0.571
Variable Pattern loading
Diverse neighbors in terms of ethnicity, race, and age (Res preference/perception) 0.789
Lots of people out and about within the neighborhood (Res preference/perception) 0.785
Lots of interaction among neighbors (Res preference/perception) 0.614
Economic level of neighbors similar to my level (Res preference/perception) 0.476
Variable Pattern loading
I need a car to do many of the things I like to do (Convenience) 0.612
Getting to work without a car is a hassle (Convenience) 0.524
We could manage pretty well with one fewer car than we have (or with no car) (Convenience) -0.418
Traveling by car is safer overall than riding a bicycle (Safety) 0.402
I like driving (Mode-liking) 0.356
Variable Pattern loading
I like riding a bike (Mode-liking) 0.88
I prefer to bike rather than drive whenever possible (Mode-liking) 0.865
Biking can sometimes be easier for me than driving (Convenience) 0.818
I prefer to walk rather than drive whenever possible (Mode-liking) 0.461
I like walking (Mode-liking) 0.4
Walking can sometimes be easier for me than driving (Convenience) 0.339
Variable Pattern loading
I like taking transit (Mode-liking) 0.778
I prefer to take transit rather than drive whenever possible (Mode-liking) 0.771
Public transit can sometimes be easier for me than driving (Convenience) 0.757
Walking can sometimes be easier for me than driving (Convenience) 0.344
I prefer to walk rather than drive whenever possible (Mode-liking) 0.363
Variable Pattern loading
The trip to/from work is a useful transition between home and work (Lifestyle) 0.683
Travel time is generally wasted time (Convenience) -0.681
I use my trip to/from work productively (Lifestyle) 0.616
The only good thing about traveling is arriving at your destination (Convenience) -0.563
I like driving (Mode-liking) 0.479
Variable Pattern loading
Traveling by car is safer overall than walking (Safety) 0.753
Traveling by car is safer overall than taking transit (Safety) 0.633
Traveling by car is safer overall than riding a bicycle (Safety) 0.489
The region needs to build more highways to reduce traffic congestion (Transport policy) 0.444
Variable Pattern loading
Fuel efficiency is an important factor for me in choosing a vehicle (Environmentalism) 0.679
I prefer to organize my errands so that I make as few trips as possible (Convenience) 0.617
I often use the telephone or the internet to avoid having to travel somewhere (Lifestyle) 0.514
The price of gasoline affects the choices I make about my daily travel (Cost) 0.513
I try to limit my driving to help improve air quality (Environmentalism) 0.458
Vehicles should be taxed on the basis of the amount of pollution they produce (Transport policy) 0.426
When I need to buy something, I usually prefer to get it at the closest store possible (Convenience) 0.332

Models

Dependent variable Stops made on commute trip home
Model type Bivariate selection
Sample size 1181.0
R2 0.053 (outcome equation)
Adjusted R2
Pseudo R2 (nan) 0.108 (participation equation)
AIC nan
BIC nan
Log-likelihood at zero nan
Log-likelihood at constants nan
Log-likelihood at convergence nan
Outcome (chaining frequency) equation
Variable Coefficient p-value
Constant 0.605 <0.001
Female 0.042 0.041
Presence of children (</= 12 years) in HH 0.046 0.049
Full-time worker -0.123 <0.001
Carpooling commute mode share 0.106 0.006
Inverse Mills ratio -0.126 0.028
Stop participation equation
Variable Coefficient p-value
Constant 0.728 <0.001
Female 0.349 <0.001
Number of adults in HH -0.207 <0.001
Limitation on driving on the freeway -0.738 0.086
Walk/bicycle commute mode share -0.75 <0.001
Transit commute mode share -1.209 <0.001
Solo-driving commute mode share 0.343 0.011
Pro-travel 0.114 0.007
Travel minimizing 0.094 0.035
Accessibility 0.111 0.026
Number of eating-out businesses within 400 m 0.069 0.096
Number of video-rental businesses within 1600 m 0.093 0.012

The Attitudes and Travel Database is produced with support from the Center for Teaching Old Models New Tricks at Arizona State University, a University Transportation Center sponsored by the US Department of Transportation through Grant No. 69A3551747116.

sha256:a08d9e369743bf7e6d1c40d27347318209b40a7fb1543813fdcf31b898918815