Automobile Accessibility and the Allocation of Time – 1990-2010

Recently published:

• Brosnan, M and Levinson, D. (2015)  Accessibility and the Allocation of Time: Changes in Travel Behavior 1990-2010  Presented at Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, January 2015. Published in electronic International Journal of Time Use Research.

  Vol. 12, No. 1, 115-133 [doi]

  Abstract

  Using detailed travel surveys conducted by the Metropolitan Council of the Minneapolis/Saint Paul region for 1990, 2000-2001, and 2010-2011, this study analyzes journey-to-work times, activity allocation, and accessibility for automobile commuters. The analysis shows declines in the time people spent outside of their homes and in travel. Although distances per trip are increasing for workers, they are declining for non-workers. The number of trips is declining, resulting in less distance traveled and less time allocated to travel. This study finds accessibility to be a significant factor in commute durations. Accessibility and commute duration have large affects on the amount of time spent at work. We posit this is due to increased home-work blending.

  JEL-Codes: J01, J22 Keywords: Travel duration, activity allocation, accessibility