Active Commuting in a University Setting: Assessing Commuting Habits and Potential for Modal Change

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2006

Subject Area

planning - travel demand management, planning - travel demand management, planning - surveys, ridership - mode choice, ridership - commuting, ridership - demand, policy - parking, organisation - management, place - urban, mode - mass transit, mode - bike, mode - pedestrian

Keywords

Walking distance, Walking, Urban transit, University of Western Australia, Universities and colleges, Trip reduction, Travel demand management, Travel behavior, Transportation modes, Transportation demand management, Transit, TDM measures, Surveys, Questionnaires, Public transit, Public health, Physical fitness, Perth (Australia), Modes, Mode choice, Modal choice, Mass transit, Local transit, Cost effectiveness, Commuting, Commuters, Choice of transportation, Campuses, Campus transportation, Campus parking, Bicycle commuting, Activity choices

Abstract

This paper describes the results of an online survey that examined commuting patterns, potential for change and barriers and motivators affecting transport decisions in a University population (n=1040 students, n=1170 staff). Overall, 21.5% of staff and 46.8% of students at The University of Western Australia regularly used active modes, and potentially an additional 30% of staff and students would switch to active modes. The results suggested that reducing barriers to using active modes, in particular reducing actual and perceived travel time by bus and bicycle would have the greatest impact on commuting patterns. Some policy applications appeared to hold particular promise, including an implementation of a subsidised public transport pass (U-Pass), increased student housing on or near campus, increased cost of parking, and improved bus services and cycle networks.

Comments

Transport Policy Home Page: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/0967070X

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