Non-linear associations between zonal built environment attributes and transit commuting mode choice accounting for spatial heterogeneity

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2021

Subject Area

land use - impacts, land use - planning, land use - transit oriented development, land use - urban density, place - asia, place - urban, ridership - behaviour, ridership - commuting

Keywords

Land use, Travel behavior, Multilevel, Threshold effect, Semi-parametric model, TOD

Abstract

Understanding how built environment attributes are associated with transit commuting mode choice is essential for planners to promoting transit through land use and transportation policies. Scholars usually assume that their relationships follow a (generalized) linear pattern and are homogeneous over space. These assumptions may lead to inconsistent estimates. This study develops a semi-parametric multilevel mixed logit model to identify non-linear and spatially heterogeneous relationships between built environment attributes and transit commuting in Nanjing, China. The results show that built environment variables in residential areas have saliently non-linear associations with transit commuting, and the associations vary across traffic analysis zones. Densification facilitates transit use but it has a diminishing return. A medium level of mixed-use is conducive to transit commuting. Transit supply has to exceed a certain threshold to be effective. These findings offer nuanced guidance for transit-oriented neighborhood planning.

Rights

Permission to publish the abstract has been given by Elsevier, copyright remains with them.

Comments

Transportation Research Part A Home Page:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/09658564

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