ENERGY, LAND USE AND THE ENVIRONMENT: THE IMPACT ON TRANSIT

The worldwide origins of the transportation energy shortage are reviewed, the direct impact of these energy developments on the consumer and by implication on transit are examined, and the long-term impact of higher energy prices on travel are discussed. Acting through transportation costs, energy costs might directly effect model splits because of economic pressure to reduce trips for energy-saving reasons. This primary effect will boost transit ridership. The secondary effect, which will take a decade or more to realize its full potential, is that transportation energy costs will influence land use patterns. Traffic count data on rural, suburban and urban travel during the energy crisis period is reported, and comments are made on the elasticity of demand for gasoline. Data show that if Americans cut back on travel, it will be the commute trip, not the shopping trip that gets cut. Future land use planning and zoning processes will develop cities so that citizens are able to utilize transit, and powerful factors will impact favorably on public transportation.

• Corporate Authors:

  American Public Transit Association

  1100 17th Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20036
• Authors:
  • Sansom, R L
• Publication Date: 1975-11

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 6-20
• Serial:
  • Transit Journal
  • Volume: 1
  • Issue Number: 4

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Commuters; Costs; Demand; Economics; Energy; Environment; Gasoline; Land use; Modal split; Public transit; Ridership; Rural areas; Suburbs; Traffic counting; Transportation; Travel; Urban areas; Zoning
• Subject Areas: Economics; Energy; Planning and Forecasting; Transportation (General);

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00128572
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 10 1981 12:00AM