THE SENSITIVITY OF WORK AND NON-WORK TRAVEL TO ENERGY SHORTAGES OR PRICE RISES

The transportation sector is looked upon as an area where conservation of fuel supplies can take place, and government officials have focused their programs in this area. However, their emphasis on work travel seems at odds with the public's reaction to past fuel crisis situations. A consumer survey of public responses to the 1980 energy situation, one of high prices but relatively unconstrained supplies, was undertaken. From this information the types of actions selected by New York State households was obtained. These households chose actions which emphasized non-work travel as the prime conservation mechanism. When these response patterns were transformed into implied energy savings, a somewhat different picture emerges. Car purchasing actions account for the largest share of the fuel savings, with work and non-work travel about equal. When these savings were apportioned into strictly work and non-work categories, it was seen that work travel bears a slightly larger portion of the total savings (40%) than its share of travel (35%) would seem to indicate. Estimates of elasticities of work and non-work travel energy are with respect to fuel price and supply derived in this study reflect this emphasis.

• Corporate Authors:

  New York State Department of Transportation

  Planning Division, State Campus, Building 4
  Albany, NY  United States  12232
• Authors:
  • Neveu, A J
• Publication Date: 1981-7

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 53 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Energy conservation; Fuels; Prices; Public opinion; Recreation; Sensitivity; Shopping; Supply; Work trips
• Old TRIS Terms: Fuel shortage
• Subject Areas: Energy; Environment; Highways; Society; Vehicles and Equipment; I96: Vehicle Operating Costs;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00370283
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Feb 28 1983 12:00AM