Satisfaction with the commute: The role of travel mode choice, built environment and attitudes

Ye, Titheridge, 2017, in Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment

doi:10.1016/j.trd.2016.06.011
Location Xi'an, China
Population Other (specify)
Sample size 1215
Factor analysis type principal components, varimax rotation
Stepwise regression no
Removal of insignificant variables no
Reviewed by LCM

Abstract

Most of previous research that investigates the connections between the travel and satisfaction with travel has focused on the effect of the travel characteristics (e.g. travel mode choice, travel time, level of service, etc.) on satisfaction with travel. Little research has explored the role of the built environment or travel attitudes, two important factors for transport policies. Using data from a recent survey conducted in Xi'an, China, this study aims to quantitatively explore the relative effects of the built environment, travel attitudes, and travel characteristics on commute satisfaction. The data was analyzed using structural equation modeling. The model results suggest that commuting characteristics, including mode choice, congestion, and level of services of transit, all directly influence commute satisfaction. Attitudes have both direct and indirect effects on commute satisfaction, while the built environment only has indirect effects through influencing commuting characteristics. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd

Factors

Variable Pattern loading
Whether rail station present within 1/4 mile of home (Not an attitude) 0.886
Whether rail station present within 1/2 mile of home (Not an attitude) 0.903
Number of bus stops within 1/4 mile of home (Not an attitude) 0.605
Variable Pattern loading
Airline distance from home to nearest park (Not an attitude) 0.562
Airline distance from home to city center (Not an attitude) 0.765
Average perimeter of the street blocks within 1/4 mile of home (Not an attitude) 0.714
Number of bus stops within 1/4 mile of home (Not an attitude) -0.528
Number of street intersections with 4+ directions within 1/4 mile of home (Not an attitude) -0.539
Variable Pattern loading
Airline distance from home to nearest park (Not an attitude) -0.578
% green land use within 1/4 mile of home (Not an attitude) 0.893
Variable Pattern loading
Whether rail station present within 1/4 mile of job (Not an attitude) 0.838
Whether rail station present within 1/2 mile of job (Not an attitude) 0.863
Number of bus stops within 1/4 mile of job (Not an attitude) 0.518
% comemrcial land use within 1/4 mile of job (Not an attitude) 0.617
Variable Pattern loading
Airline distance from job to nearest park (Not an attitude) 0.658
Airline distance from job to city center (Not an attitude) 0.685
Number of bus stops within 1/4 mile of job (Not an attitude) -0.506
Number of street intersections with 4+ directions within 1/4 mile of job (Not an attitude) -0.7
Variable Pattern loading
Average perimeter of the street blocks within 1/4 mile of job (Not an attitude) 0.598
% green land use within 1/4 mile of job (Not an attitude) 0.865
Variable Pattern loading
Traveling by car is safer overall than walking (Safety) 0.655
I need a car to do many of the things I like to do (Convenience) 0.504
Traveling by car is safer overall than riding a bicycle (Safety) 0.563
Traveling by car is safer overall than taking transit (Safety) 0.736
Getting to work without a car is a hassle (Convenience) 0.674
Variable Pattern loading
Public transit can sometimes be easier for me than driving (Convenience) 0.612
I try to limit my driving to help improve air quality (Environmentalism) 0.581
Vehicles should be taxed on the basis of the amount of pollution they produce (Transport policy) 0.506
Variable Pattern loading
I prefer to organize my errands so that I make as few trips as possible (Convenience) 0.545
The price of gasoline affects the choices I make about my daily travel (Cost) 0.658
The region needs to build more highways to reduce traffic congestion (Transport policy) 0.568
Fuel efficiency is an important factor for me in choosing a vehicle (Environmentalism) 0.662
I often use the telephone or Internet to avoid having to travel somewhere (Lifestyle) 0.656
When I need to buy something, I usually prefer to get it at the closest store possible (Convenience) 0.484
My household spends too much money on owning and driving our cars (Cost) 0.405
Variable Pattern loading
I use my trip to/from work productively (Lifestyle) 0.506
The trip to/from work is a useful transition between home and work (Lifestyle) 0.592
Travel time is generally wasted time (Convenience) -0.679
Variable Pattern loading
I like riding a bike (Mode-liking) 0.769
I prefer to walk rather than drive whenever possible (Mode-liking) 0.555
I prefer to bike rather than drive whenever possible (Mode-liking) 0.782
Biking can sometimes be easier for me than driving (Convenience) 0.609
We could manage pretty well with one fewer car than we have (or with no car) (Convenience) 0.414
Variable Pattern loading
I am willing to pay a toll or tax to pay for new highways (Transport policy) 0.688
I like driving (Mode-liking) 0.646
I would like to own at least one more car (Mode-liking) 0.431
Variable Pattern loading
I prefer to take transit rather than drive whenever possible (Mode-liking) 0.691
I like taking transit (Mode-liking) 0.725
Variable Pattern loading
Walking can sometimes be easier for me than driving (Convenience) 0.544
Air quality is a major problem in this region (Environmentalism) 0.615
I like walking (Mode-liking) 0.55

Models

Source variable Target variable Effect p-value Effect type
Age Car 0.119 <0.01 direct_effect
Female Car -0.044 nan direct_effect
Education Car 0.055 <0.05 direct_effect
Income Car 0.231 <0.01 direct_effect
Health Car 0.044 nan direct_effect
Access to transit (home) Car -0.1 <0.01 direct_effect
Car dependence (home) Car -0.012 nan direct_effect
Close to greenery (home) Car 0.073 <0.05 direct_effect
Access to transit (job) Car 0.079 <0.05 direct_effect
Car dependence (job) Car 0.002 nan direct_effect
Close to greenery (job) Car 0.027 nan direct_effect
Distance from home to job Car 0.108 <0.01 direct_effect
Fuel efficiency Car 0.008 nan direct_effect
Pro bike Car -0.049 <0.1 direct_effect
Car safer Car 0.209 <0.01 direct_effect
Pro transit Car -0.109 <0.01 direct_effect
Pro walk Car -0.051 nan direct_effect
Pro driving Car 0.015 nan direct_effect
Pro environment Car -0.184 <0.01 direct_effect
Positive travel Car 0.079 <0.05 direct_effect
Age Rail -0.025 nan direct_effect
Female Rail -0.024 nan direct_effect
Education Rail 0.017 nan direct_effect
Income Rail -0.021 nan direct_effect
Health Rail 0.04 nan direct_effect
Access to transit (home) Rail 0.127 <0.01 direct_effect
Car dependence (home) Rail -0.04 nan direct_effect
Close to greenery (home) Rail -0.084 <0.05 direct_effect
Access to transit (job) Rail 0.052 nan direct_effect
Car dependence (job) Rail 0.049 nan direct_effect
Close to greenery (job) Rail -0.098 <0.01 direct_effect
Distance from home to job Rail 0.11 <0.05 direct_effect
Fuel efficiency Rail 0.002 nan direct_effect
Pro bike Rail -0.002 nan direct_effect
Car safer Rail 0.034 nan direct_effect
Pro transit Rail 0.094 <0.01 direct_effect
Pro walk Rail -0.002 nan direct_effect
Pro driving Rail -0.093 <0.01 direct_effect
Pro environment Rail -0.024 nan direct_effect
Positive travel Rail -0.023 nan direct_effect
Age Walk -0.109 <0.01 direct_effect
Female Walk -0.043 nan direct_effect
Education Walk -0.077 <0.05 direct_effect
Income Walk -0.079 <0.05 direct_effect
Health Walk -0.025 nan direct_effect
Access to transit (home) Walk 0.011 nan direct_effect
Car dependence (home) Walk 0.039 nan direct_effect
Close to greenery (home) Walk 0.005 nan direct_effect
Access to transit (job) Walk -0.044 nan direct_effect
Car dependence (job) Walk 0.063 nan direct_effect
Close to greenery (job) Walk -0.032 nan direct_effect
Distance from home to job Walk -0.316 <0.01 direct_effect
Fuel efficiency Walk -0.068 <0.05 direct_effect
Pro bike Walk 0.035 nan direct_effect
Car safer Walk -0.053 nan direct_effect
Pro transit Walk 0.082 <0.05 direct_effect
Pro walk Walk 0.161 <0.01 direct_effect
Pro driving Walk 0.036 nan direct_effect
Pro environment Walk 0.02 nan direct_effect
Positive travel Walk 0.108 <0.01 direct_effect
Age Bike 0.062 <0.05 direct_effect
Female Bike -0.068 <0.05 direct_effect
Education Bike 0.019 nan direct_effect
Income Bike -0.036 nan direct_effect
Health Bike -0.058 <0.05 direct_effect
Access to transit (home) Bike 0.019 nan direct_effect
Car dependence (home) Bike 0.109 <0.01 direct_effect
Close to greenery (home) Bike 0.033 nan direct_effect
Access to transit (job) Bike -0.042 nan direct_effect
Car dependence (job) Bike 0.051 nan direct_effect
Close to greenery (job) Bike -0.048 nan direct_effect
Distance from home to job Bike -0.1 <0.05 direct_effect
Fuel efficiency Bike -0.01 nan direct_effect
Pro bike Bike 0.168 <0.01 direct_effect
Car safer Bike -0.11 <0.01 direct_effect
Pro transit Bike -0.021 nan direct_effect
Pro walk Bike -0.068 <0.05 direct_effect
Pro driving Bike 0.048 nan direct_effect
Pro environment Bike 0.058 <0.1 direct_effect
Positive travel Bike 0.048 nan direct_effect
Age E-bike -0.026 nan direct_effect
Female E-bike -0.049 <0.1 direct_effect
Education E-bike -0.096 <0.01 direct_effect
Income E-bike -0.009 nan direct_effect
Health E-bike -0.03 nan direct_effect
Access to transit (home) E-bike 0.015 nan direct_effect
Car dependence (home) E-bike 0.088 <0.05 direct_effect
Close to greenery (home) E-bike -0.004 nan direct_effect
Access to transit (job) E-bike -0.04 nan direct_effect
Car dependence (job) E-bike 0.005 nan direct_effect
Close to greenery (job) E-bike -0.027 nan direct_effect
Distance from home to job E-bike -0.057 nan direct_effect
Fuel efficiency E-bike -0.007 nan direct_effect
Pro bike E-bike 0.126 <0.01 direct_effect
Car safer E-bike -0.061 <0.05 direct_effect
Pro transit E-bike -0.035 nan direct_effect
Pro walk E-bike 0.027 nan direct_effect
Pro driving E-bike 0.022 nan direct_effect
Pro environment E-bike 0.037 nan direct_effect
Positive travel E-bike -0.015 nan direct_effect
Age Worker bus 0.096 <0.01 direct_effect
Female Worker bus 0.022 nan direct_effect
Education Worker bus 0.059 <0.1 direct_effect
Income Worker bus 0.012 nan direct_effect
Health Worker bus 0.029 nan direct_effect
Access to transit (home) Worker bus 0.112 <0.01 direct_effect
Car dependence (home) Worker bus -0.042 nan direct_effect
Close to greenery (home) Worker bus 0.033 nan direct_effect
Access to transit (job) Worker bus -0.053 nan direct_effect
Car dependence (job) Worker bus -0.005 nan direct_effect
Close to greenery (job) Worker bus 0.036 nan direct_effect
Distance from home to job Worker bus -0.078 nan direct_effect
Fuel efficiency Worker bus -0.094 <0.01 direct_effect
Pro bike Worker bus -0.055 nan direct_effect
Car safer Worker bus -0.015 nan direct_effect
Pro transit Worker bus -0.008 nan direct_effect
Pro walk Worker bus -0.083 <0.05 direct_effect
Pro driving Worker bus 0.015 nan direct_effect
Pro environment Worker bus 0.04 nan direct_effect
Positive travel Worker bus -0.058 nan direct_effect
Access to transit (home) Crowd -0.026 nan direct_effect
Car dependence (home) Crowd 0.099 <0.05 direct_effect
Close to greenery (home) Crowd -0.003 nan direct_effect
Access to transit (job) Crowd -0.008 nan direct_effect
Car dependence (job) Crowd 0.069 nan direct_effect
Close to greenery (job) Crowd 0.093 <0.05 direct_effect
Distance from home to job Crowd -0.009 nan direct_effect
Access to transit (home) Transfer 0.049 nan direct_effect
Car dependence (home) Transfer 0.01 nan direct_effect
Close to greenery (home) Transfer -0.049 nan direct_effect
Access to transit (job) Transfer -0.13 <0.05 direct_effect
Car dependence (job) Transfer -0.096 <0.1 direct_effect
Close to greenery (job) Transfer 0.012 nan direct_effect
Distance from home to job Transfer 0.271 <0.01 direct_effect
Access to transit (home) Congestion -0.055 nan direct_effect
Car dependence (home) Congestion -0.011 nan direct_effect
Close to greenery (home) Congestion -0.075 <0.05 direct_effect
Access to transit (job) Congestion 0.026 nan direct_effect
Car dependence (job) Congestion -0.116 <0.01 direct_effect
Close to greenery (job) Congestion 0.089 <0.05 direct_effect
Distance from home to job Congestion 0.242 <0.01 direct_effect
Car Travel satisfaction 0.167 <0.01 direct_effect
Rail Travel satisfaction 0.043 nan direct_effect
Walk Travel satisfaction 0.209 <0.01 direct_effect
Bike Travel satisfaction 0.22 <0.01 direct_effect
E-bike Travel satisfaction -0.157 <0.05 direct_effect
Worker bus Travel satisfaction 0.047 nan direct_effect
Crowd Travel satisfaction -0.233 <0.05 direct_effect
Transfer Travel satisfaction -0.129 <0.05 direct_effect
Congestion Travel satisfaction -0.197 <0.01 direct_effect
Age Travel satisfaction 0.06 <0.05 direct_effect
Female Travel satisfaction 0.017 nan direct_effect
Education Travel satisfaction -0.025 nan direct_effect
Income Travel satisfaction 0.027 nan direct_effect
Health Travel satisfaction 0.138 <0.01 direct_effect
Access to transit (home) Travel satisfaction 0.008 nan direct_effect
Car dependence (home) Travel satisfaction -0.004 nan direct_effect
Close to greenery (home) Travel satisfaction 0.046 nan direct_effect
Access to transit (job) Travel satisfaction -0.016 nan direct_effect
Car dependence (job) Travel satisfaction 0.023 nan direct_effect
Close to greenery (job) Travel satisfaction -0.035 nan direct_effect
Distance from home to job Travel satisfaction 0.06 nan direct_effect
Fuel efficiency Travel satisfaction -0.025 nan direct_effect
Pro bike Travel satisfaction 0.006 nan direct_effect
Car safer Travel satisfaction 0.011 nan direct_effect
Pro transit Travel satisfaction 0.069 <0.05 direct_effect
Pro walk Travel satisfaction 0.093 <0.01 direct_effect
Pro driving Travel satisfaction 0.102 <0.01 direct_effect
Pro environment Travel satisfaction 0.052 nan direct_effect
Positive travel Travel satisfaction 0.211 <0.01 direct_effect

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.

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