Travel Behavior in TODs vs. Non-TODs: Using Cluster Analysis and Propensity Score Matching

Transit-oriented development (TOD) has gained popularity worldwide as a sustainable form of urbanism by concentrating developments near a transit station so as to minimize auto-dependency and maximize ridership. Existing travel behavior studies in the context of TOD, however, are limited in terms of small sample size, lack of consistency in TOD classification method, and failure to control for residential self-selection. This study examines various travel outcomes – VMT, auto trips, transit trips, and walk trips – in different types of station areas in eight American urban areas using cluster analysis and propensity score matching methods. From cluster analysis with three built environment factors commonly referred as D variables – activity density, land use diversity, and street network design – in ½ mile (about 800 meter) buffer, this study classifies existing station areas as TOD, TAD (transit-adjacent development), and Hybrid types. Literally hundreds of studies have related D variables to household travel outcomes (Ewing & Cervero, 2010). After controlling residential self-section, the result show that a TOD motivates its residents to walk more and take transit more while driving less. The VMT, however, is not significantly different between TOD and TAD households, implying that a TOD may convert only internal auto trips into walk or transit trips. Travel behavior in the Hybrid type is also examined for the potential outcome of gradual and practical change.

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• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AP025 Standing Committee on Public Transportation Planning and Development.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Park, Keunhyun
  • 0000-0001-5055-7833
  • Ewing, Reid
  • 0000-0002-4117-3456
  • Scheer, Brenda Case
  • Sifat Ara Khan, Shabnam
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 96th Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC, United States
  • Date: 2017-1-8 to 2017-1-12
• Date: 2017

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: 16p
• Monograph Title: TRB 96th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cluster analysis; Rail transit stations; Transit oriented development; Travel behavior
• Uncontrolled Terms: Propensity scores
• Subject Areas: Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01623304
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 17-00899
• Files: PRP, TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Jan 24 2017 3:31PM