One of the major impediments to developing a larger body of knowledge in travel behavior than we currently have is the lack of sufficient data at very detailed levels. The lack of sufficient data is the result of the inherent complexity of gathering and subsequently analyzing observations of the phenomena of interest. This is particularly true for route choice, a topic on which scant link-by-link data appear to be available, especially at multi-day level. In fact, very little empirical work is based on real world observation. This dissertation studies the factors that influence morning commuters route choice and route switching based on objective real-world observations of travel behavior during multi-day period. This dissertation tests the current route choice model assumption that travel time or travel distance is the only factor influencing drivers route choice decision. Investigation of the objective route choice factors confirms that minimizing travel time, although very important, is not the only factor that impacts route choice. Several other factors have been identified that impact commuters route choice. This dissertation examines the choice between using single or multiple morning commute routes. The results indicate the strong explanatory power of work schedule flexibility and trip-chaining on the choice of single or multiple commute routes compared to the commuters socio-demographic characteristics and commute route related attributes. This dissertation also presents an extensive effort in analyzing GPS-based travel behavior data and develops a methodology to subtract route choice information and trip-level travel information from the GPS-based vehicle activity data.

A high amount of the US population is not physically active, contributing to rates of heart disease and obesity. One strategy to increase physical activity is to use more active transportation, defined as walking or biking for transit. Besides increasing physical activity levels, active transportation can provide other benefits such as decreased air pollution from cars. College campuses provide opportunities for active transportation as most residences are close to campus. Therefore, we examined reasons for use and barriers to active transportation in students living in a community connected to a large university via a 1.9 mile, paved protected trail. Two pedestrian and bicycle counters were placed to find the number of walkers and bikers on the trail per day and students were recruited to take an online survey. We found that more people used the trail during the weekday compared to the weekend. Students did not receive much support from their friends and family to use the trail. Users of the trail were more likely to believe that using active transportation helps protect the environment while non-users were uncomfortable using a bike. Barriers included the time it took to use the trail and the need to carry items. Both users and non-users indicated that a financial incentive would motivate them to use the trail more. We conclude that non-users may be uncomfortable using a bike and worry about carrying their items for class. Changing university parking fees, providing bike lessons, and placing signs with directions and time to campus may increase active transportation to the university via this trail. / Master of Science

This dissertation investigates architecture's potential role in improving the experience of the daily commute into and out of the city. It is proposed that an architectural intervention that takes into account the 'embodied' experience of the commuter as key informant could assist in such an improvement. Various structural and infrastructural upgrades are being planned for the east-west Metrorail link between Pretoria Station and Mamelodi by the Tshwane Municipal Government and the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA). This link is selected to act as setting for the enquiry, with Mamelodi Gardens Metrorail Station as site for architectural intervention. A conflict is identified between requirements of the public transport system to function optimally and efficiently and the experiential and everyday needs of the commuter who encounters it. The dissertation aims to relieve this apparent opposition through a design process of mediation. Due partially to its functionally driven nature, public transport planning often leads to an environment of extremes which places the commuting experience under tension. Architecture's potential role in alleviating these extremes through impact or through the mediation of other environmental impacts is explored. Phenomenological philosophy, as a study based in the ontological enquiry of conscious experience, is the theoretical stimulus to the experiential component of the study. This theoretical base is partnered with investigative and interpretive study in order to ascertain the various ways in which architecture could potentially impact on the embodied experience of the commuter. / Dissertation MArch(Prof)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Architecture / MArch(Prof) / Unrestricted

The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between a students Grade Point Average (GPA) and a student's proximity to campus. There were also two other independent variables studied, the students gender and the number of roommates the student has. The results showed that there is no correlation between GPA and proximity to campus or GPA and number of roommates. The only correlation found, which was slight, was between GPA and gender.

Hurricane Sandy struck the New York City-New Jersey region on October 29, 2012, with severe consequences to the transportation network, including both the road network and the transit system. This study used survey data from nearly 400 commuters in the New York City Metropolitan Area to determine the transportation disruptions and socio-demographic characteristics associated with travel changes and their duration for the home-to-work commute after Hurricane Sandy. Multi-variable binary logit modeling was used to examine mode shifting, cancelling the trip to work, route changing, and modifying departure time. Transit commuters were more likely to change modes, cancel the trip, and depart earlier. Women were less likely to change modes or depart later. Carpool restrictions encouraged mode changing and earlier departures. Delays/crowding increased the probability of route changes, canceled trips, and earlier departures. Durations of commute travel changes were modeled with accelerated failure time approaches (Weibull distribution). New Jersey Transit disruptions prolonged the time to return to the normal working schedule, telecommuting time, and the time of commuting patterns alterations. Gasoline purchase restrictions extended commuting delays and the duration of alteration of normal commute patterns but decreased the duration of the change of working schedule and location. The mode used under normal commute conditions did not have an impact on the duration of the changes, even though it has a significant impact on the selected changes. The results underline the need for policy makers to account for mode-specific populations and lower income commuters during post-disaster recovery periods. / Master of Science

This study examines the jobs-housing balance and the excess commute of Saturn employees in Spring Hill. Until recently, the number of jobs has greatly exceeded the number of houses. In 2005 the balance is about even, however many newer residents are believed to be people who work in Nashville. Many Saturn employees live on the outskirts of Spring Hill and must commute longer distances to work. A spatial analysis using GIS of employee home locations shows that 74% of employees commute is in excess compared to if employees actually lived within Spring Hill. Surveys of Saturn employees shows traffic en route to work is a major frustration. It is suggested that future housing development in Spring Hill occur closer to Saturn. This will equilibrate the jobs-housing balance and will reduce the excess commute. Other Southern towns may wish to consider these results when planning for the development of automobile manufacturers.

This study attempts to find a correlation between commuting modes in Washington DC and characteristics of the city and the people that they serve. It investigates why some census tracts have experienced increases in the commuting share of alternative transportation, such as public transit, walking, and bicycling, while others haven't. Findings demonstrate that demographic variables such as percent Hispanic and foreign born were the strongest predictors of change in commute mode share followed by distance to train station. Land use variables demonstrated weak correlations with variations in mode share due most likely to a lack of density gradient within the study area. The creation of variables to determine land use mix by census tract posed technical challenges as well. Recommendations include policy addressing rising demand for more diverse transportation systems be implemented and further research be conducted on creating more accurate land use variables to include in the model.

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The degree of connectivity and proximity that results from the configuration of land uses and associated transport networks is an important concept in much of the transportation research agenda. A substantial body of work has developed around the idea that compact, mixed-use development with multimodal transport options will shape travel behavior, increasing the use of transit, walking, and cycling for routine travel. Yet empirical evidence is somewhat mixed. One of the reasons for this uncertainty is the difficulty of defining and measuring sprawl in a meaningful way for use in quantitative analyses, rather than using regionally idiosyncratic or mono-dimensional definitions of sprawl. A recently released national dataset measuring multiple dimensions of urban form offers an opportunity to explore the relationship between transportation and sprawl. This study uses a series of spatial regressions to model effects on the share of a county's workers who commute by driving alone. The results for income are found to be robust across various model specifications, confirming the well-established, positive relationship between income and d riving to work. The results for the Street Accessibility Factor suggest characteristics of the street network are related to the choice to commute by driving alone, with more compact street networks and greater connectivity associated with reduced driving alone. The Land Use Mixing Factor has little power in explaining travel behavior, despite its intuitive appeal as the land use component of the commute mode decision. / Series: SRE - Discussion Papers