published journal article

Profile of a carless population

Transportation research record

Publication Date

January 1, 1976

Author(s)

R. E. Paaswell, Will Recker, V. Milione

Abstract

A survey was carried out in which 401 respondents in Buffalo, New York, were queried on car accessibility, activity choice, travel mode choice, and attitude toward travel modes and activities. The purpose of the survey was to examine the differences in travel behavior between those who had access to and use of a car and those who did not. Of the households without cars, only 21 percent never had access to a car. The carless sample showed a profile that was predominately low income, female, elderly, and unemployed. The largest segment of those identified as carless lived in the most densely populated portions of the city. Discriminating among modal-use patterns and activities of the various respondent groups was possible. The carless shopped for groceries more often (by walking) and participated in other neighborhood-centered activities more often than did those with cars. Paid social activities was engaged in much less frequently by the carless group. Walking was an important mode for the carless, but the bus was used by most of them, at least occasionally, for all but grocery trips.¡p /¿

Suggested Citation
R. E. Paaswell, W. W. Recker and V. Milione (1976) “Profile of a carless population”, Transportation research record, 578, pp. 16–28. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/.