CONSUMER TRADE-OFFS BETWEEN MOBILITY AND GASOLINE SAVINGS

Since 1978 gasoline use in New York State has steadily declined. On the other hand NYS travel has increased steadily since 1968, set back only twice by the oil crises of 1973 and 1978. This study examines this phenomenon through two analyses: first, aggregate trends in travel, fuel use, price, and efficiency are used to determine the general nature of the trade-offs that consumers have been making. Second, 3 statewide surveys of consumer response to energy conservation were examined for their impact on work, non-work, and other travel in 1979, 1980, and 1982, the years in which the surveys were conducted. By relating conservation impacts to changes in energy use and vehicle modess of travel, the trade-offs consumers are making to cope with changes in energy supply and price are developed. The study found that shifts to more fuel-efficient automobiles have helped consumers save significant amounts of gasoline. However, consumers are reinvesting some of these savings in additional travel. An examination of the trned of responses to the conservation survey indicates that consumers understand how to conserve gasoline. They claim increasingly to take actions to conserve non-work travel. However when actual trip rates, trip distances, and incidence factors were applied to the survey responses it became apparent that the major conservation strategies were work and car related. The study concludes that after an initial reduction in travel in response to gasoline shortages in 1979, consumers have chosen to reinvest the savings made possible by more fuel efficient automobiles in additional non-work travel in order to retain household travel patterns which are most satisfying to them. (Author)

• Corporate Authors:

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Brunso, J M
  • Hartgen, D T
• Publication Date: 1984-8

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 23 p.
• Serial:
  • Transportation Analysis Report
  • Publisher: New York State Department of Transportation

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Data collection; Fuel consumption; Gasoline; Mobility; Savings; Surveys; Travel patterns; Trip generation; Trip length; Work trips
• Uncontrolled Terms: Trip rate
• Subject Areas: Economics; Energy; Highways; Society; I10: Economics and Administration;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00395681
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: Rept No 42
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Feb 28 1986 12:00AM