Abstract

The primary intent of this research is to explore the claim that transportation benefits can be derived from neo-traditional neighborhood design. Conventional transportation planning models are used as tools to evaluate the performance differences of two hypothetical street networks designed to replicate a neo-traditional and a conventional suburban community. Relative transportation benefits are measured in terms of vehicle-miles travelled (VMT), average trip lengths, and congestion on links and at intersections. This comparison provides an assessment of how well the two networks in question deal with trips generated by the activities which they serve. All aspects of the modelled communities are held constant except for the actual configuration of the networks. This type of evaluation can indicate, for example, whether the same level of activity (defined by the land uses within the community) creates greater congestion on one type of network, or if trip lengths on one network are generally longer. The ultimate goal is to determine if one network type, because of the nature of its design, can result in a more efficient transportation system.

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between urban structure and commuting behavior. Analyzing the 1980 journey-to-work data for the Los Angeles region, this paper has shown that polycenteric density functions fit the actual urban structure better than the conventional monocentric model. This finding indicates the preeminence of accessibilty to major employment centers in location choices.

This paper also estimates commute flows implied by the polycentric and monocentric functions. It finds the monocentric model very poor at explaining commuting behavior. The empirical results show that polycentric urban structure increases the urban commute. This finding helps to preserve the assumption that urban workers economize on commuting, and suggests that efforts to promote more efficient urban form, such as the jobs-housing balance policy, have the potential to succeed.

Abstract

This study examines the competing roles of transportation access and urban problems in the continuing suburbanization of American metropolitan areas. In particular, the paper asks whether suburbanization is primarily an adjustment to existing transportation networks, as predicted by the monocentric urban model, or whether decentralization is the result of persons and firms fleeing a host of central city problems, as is more consistent with a Tiebout model. This question is empirically tested by examining the determinants of population and employment changes for 365 northern New Jersey municipalities in the 1980s. The findings suggest that both transportation access and intra-metropolitan differences in local characteristics are important determinants of municipal population and employment changes. Furthermore, transportation access and local characteristics have roughly equal policy importance. This suggests that policies aimed at controlling land use patterns should be cognizant of both transportation networks and local characteristics such as fiscal policy and crime rates.

Abstract

The objective of the present study is to identify relationships that exist among: (i) intentions to purchase alternative-fuel vehicles prior to their large-scale introduction, (ii) attitudes toward the environment, (iii) perceived importance of convenience and economy of ownership and operation, and (iv) consumer uncertainties. The intent is to unveil what factors, if any, may impede the promotion of alternative fuels, and, in turn, offer some guidelines for successful marketing of alternative-fuel vehicles. The study results can also aid in future stated preference demand estimation surveys by identifying factors that are likely to play important roles in the purchase of alternative vehicles.