WHAT'S HAPPENED TO CARPOOLING: 1980-1990 TRENDS IN NORTH CAROLINA

This paper explores county-level trends in mode to work, particularly carpooling, for all of North Carolina's counties from the period 1980-1990. Using 1990 Census information, statistics are computed on the extent and relative levels of carpooling. These data are related to changes in demographics, geography, and accessibility. It was found that as a share of work travel, and in absolute numbers, carpooling has declined precipitously in the vast majority of North Carolina's 100 counties in the last 10 years. Overall carpooling dropped by 122,608 workers, over 32%, while overall commuting increased 24.4%. Of all 100 counties, only one registered a slight increase in carpooling during the decade. Carpooling was found to be highest - over 25% - in those counties which are rural and isolated, but within long-distance commute of major metropolitan areas, including areas out of the state. Carpooling was found to be lowest in major metropolitan counties and their immediate surrounding suburban counties. Per-capita income levels and average travel time were found to be the highest correlates of carpooling: carpooling was found to have declined most rapidly in first-tier suburban counties which have increased greatly in accessibility and in per-capita income in the last decade. Declines in carpooling have shown up as single occupant auto drivers, rather than public transit or other modes. The paper concludes that present programs to encourage carpooling are misdirected, focusing upon urban and suburban markets where carpooling is relatively low, and ignoring longer distance rural isolated markets where carpooling is much higher. The paper calls for a restructuring of carpooling programs to fit better the underlying needs of carpoolers which are driven not by commuting costs, but long-distance job economics.

• Corporate Authors:

  University of North Carolina, Charlotte

  Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, 9201 University City Boulevard
  Charlotte, NC  United States  28223
• Authors:
  • Hartgen, D T
  • Bullard, K
• Publication Date: 1992-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 36 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accessibility; Carpools; Demographics; Economics; Geography; Income; Rural areas; Statistics; Travel time; Trend (Statistics); Trip length
• Geographic Terms: North Carolina
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Economics; Geotechnology; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Society; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00627025
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: Transp Pub Rept No. 79
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 5 1993 12:00AM