<p> In the spring of 1983, when this project was in its
most preliminary stages, a simple hypothesis was put forward.
This hypothesis suggested that auto users would react to
rising retail gasoline prices by switching to an alternative
mode of transportation, such as public transit. It was
thought that, since any increase in fuel costs could be
spread out among all transit users, public transit would
become an attractive alternative to the private automobile
in an individual's transportation mode decision as retail
gasoline prices increased. Therefore, a positive relationship
was anticipated-to exist between public transit ridership
and retail gasoline prices. </p> <p> Having established the hypothesis to be investigated,
an extensive review of current literature associated with
the hypothesis was completed. This review presented conflicting
opinions concerning the hypothesis, and also suggested
that other variables were more important than the price of
retail gasoline in affecting an individual's transportation
mode decision. </p> <p> Unfortunately, the literature review did not suggest
any relevant method of analysis for this project. It was
decided that, for reasons to be discussed later, linear regression
would be the method of analysis. The results of the
application of a number of linear regression models to data
obtained for the Hamilton study area indicated that no definitive
statement could be made with respect to the hypothesis
of this project. This lack of significant results was
attributed to extraneous variance created by certain variables
that could not be controlled. </p> <p> However, as a contribution to knowledge, this project
provides a basis on which future studies can be built.
If the extraneous variance that is discussed in this project
can be eliminated in future studies, then- it may be possible
to obtain more significant results with respect to the
hypothesis that public transit ridership is positively related
to retail gasoline prices. </p> / Thesis / Bachelor of Arts (BA)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:mcmaster.ca/oai:macsphere.mcmaster.ca:11375/19945 |
| Date | 04 1900 |
| Creators | Schneider, Gary |
| Contributors | Hall, F. L., Geography |
| Source Sets | McMaster University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
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