Transportation analysts have monitored with interest the emergence of trip chaining, or multi-purpose trip making, which is becoming a common method of travel for many households. As of 2001, 61% of all working age adults trip chained. From a policy perspective, this warrants attention as these 61% of adults who trip chain generate 68% of average daily vehicle miles traveled (VMT). In addition, most trip chaining is accomplished by automobile and generally alone or with other family members. Trip chaining research has focused predominantly on travel by workers and findings suggest that one reason for its increase is that workers are scheduling non-work activities into their work commute, largely to support household needs (primarily childcare but also for shopping and personal business). Since the 1990s, significant federal funding has supported programs to improve air quality through reduced emissions. These include employer-based programs that seek to reduce VMT through ride sharing and the use of transit, along with incentives for doing so. The success of these programs is based on the flexibility of the commuter to change his/her work mode. As indicated above, however, trip chaining is typically associated with decreased flexibility and almost in direct conflict with programs that encourage alternative commute modes. This research identifies household, demographic, work, and activity setting factors that influence trip chaining in order to understand the related policy implications for employer-based programs that seek to reduce VMT through encouraging alternative commute modes. Using the 2001 National Household Travel Survey, a market segmentation identified trip chaining influencers. These were primarily the presence of children under the age of 16, worker status, more than one household adult, a high vehicle-to-worker ratio, and educational attainment above the high school level. The findings indicate that while between 30 and 42% of workers commute in the traditional manner, employer-based programs can achieve greater returns if increased focus is placed on improving employer amenities. In addition, further VMT reduction can be achieved through new programs that target the household instead of the employer, as evidenced by the TravelSmart program in Australia and SmartTrips program in Portland, OR. / text

published_or_final_version / Public Administration / Master / Master of Social Sciences

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- McMaster University, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available via World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2008. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1974. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 556-577).

Thesis (M.U.D.)--University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 160-163) Also available in print.

This study is intended to unpack the current and potential future commuter transport requirements in Kagiso Township within the context of transport planning and the ongoing transformation of the transport sector in South Africa. In order to meet the above challenges, it was felt that an investigation of the socio-economic profile of transport users in Kagiso Township was required, which would be indicative of potential needs and requirements in terms of current and future travel infrastructure. This study is significant, as it considers the impact of socio-economic factors and transport interactions by fully examining the impact of accessibility, urban development patterns, local mobility and planning. Mogale City’s Kagiso Township was selected for in-depth study because it has seen one of the highest urbanization rates in Gauteng Province, with people from all over Gauteng relocating to this suburb, either buying relatively moderately priced housing via mortgaging or, alternatively, trying to gain access to government low-cost housing. The study investigates the connection between socio-economic characteristics of a local population (inter alia, age, gender, household size, and vehicles per household, employment status and income) and their transport requirements (travel demand forecasting), within an urban transport context. Socio-economic characteristics of a population are important in transport demand forecasting because there is a general belief in transport planning that the predisposition to travel and trip generation vary with the characteristics of the traveller. A travel demand forecasting model by Bussière and Rice (1999) is used for the purposes of simulating existing and future travel patterns. The forecasted household mobility and needs of commuters in Kagiso Township are compared with current municipal plans to see whether such plans are realistic and can address existing needs. The evaluation of the current municipal plans is included to test the responsiveness of public policy and practice towards the needs of the affected local community. This evaluation extracted information on whether the relevant municipality has identified the problems and issues affecting the local community of Kagiso Township. In addition, it assessed whether the municipality has identified possible solutions to these problems and issues and whether it has prioritised any projects to improve transportation in Kagiso Township.

published_or_final_version / Urban Design / Master / Master of Urban Design

M.Comm. / Formal public transport has an important function to fulfill, both in terms of service provision and also in the broader context of the economy. This is so because so many workers live in dispersed areas and are dependent on public transport to arrive at work. This point is especially valid with regard to the Soweto area, which is one of the most heavily populated areas in South Africa, providing a large workforce to South Africa's most important economic region — the Witwatersrand. The main theme of this study is that all "formal" passenger transport operators in the Soweto area need to be integrated and that structural co-ordination should take place. This includes service provision in terms of routes and schedules as well as the ticketing system. This study provides an overview of the activities of the "formal" operators in the Soweto area. The conclusion that can be drawn is that the current "formal" service leaves considerable scope for improvement. It is also clear from the reports that have been quoted in this study that the minimum levels of service are not being achieved. Hence, this study proposes new road-based routes and schedules aimed at improving the coordination of bus and rail transport in the Soweto and surrounding areas. This study also proposes an integrated ticketing system, which is aimed at forming the basis for effective co-ordination. The purpose of these proposals is to assist the yet-to-be-established Transport Authorities to make decisions that will guide the co-ordination process in the right direction. The study also investigates other aspects that influence the "formal" public transport system. These include Government Policy, national objectives, ticketing systems and coordination. These aspects, combined with current research and schedules will be used as the basis where-upon new suggestions are made. The study emphasises that the suggestions made will not necessarily improve cost effectiveness but are primarily aimed at improving upon the current service. The study suggests however, that any additional funding that may be needed will be a moderate amount with regard to macro-economic variables, and at the same time will improve the quality of life of the community and will help in achieving national transport objectives as envisaged by the Moving South Africa study project. It is also suggested in this study that the time for meaningless debate is over and that the time has arrived to implement practical solutions with regard to the formal public passenger transport system in South Africa.

Typescript (photocopy). / Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries