Post on 13-Jan-2016
UCI Commuting Behavior
Presented By:
Irene Tangon May 15, 2004
at the University of California, Irvine
Why Study Commuting Behavior?
Why Study Commuting Behavior?
So that we can:• Increase efficiency
• Fulfill Needs• Encourage
alternative transportation
To understand:• Commuting
Patterns• Commuting Needs
• Commuting Attitudes
• Current research studies the question
of mode choice.
Commuting Mode Choice
•What factors influence their decision?
•How do people choose which
transportation mode to take?
Factors Affecting Mode Choice
•Individual Factors: The influence of personal needs and desires.
•Urban Design Factors:The influence of the built environment.
The University: A Unique Community
• Unique & viable alternative transportation available
• Unique student schedules• Unique student lifestyles
This makes for a fascinating research opportunity.
Methods•Student InterviewsResults were developed into
•SurveysDesigned to evaluate students’ current
•Travel Patterns
and students’
•Attitudes concerning current UCI transportation issues, including
•Parking & Alternative Transportation.
MethodsSurveys were distributed
in:
• Classrooms• Residence HallsRespondents were:
Home Location
0%20%40%60%
MainCampus
EastCampus
Tow nCenterApts
Parkw estApts
Apts >1Miles
Location
The UCI Campus
Results (Commuting Patterns)
While most East Campus students indeed take the shuttle as their primary mode to campus, over 30% of students consider driving to be their secondary mode to campus.
East Campus Mode Choice
0%20%40%60%80%
100%
Walk Bik
e
Shuttle
Publi
c Trans
itDriv
e
Carpo
ol
Dropp
ed O
ff
None/N
A
Primary
Secondary
Results (Commuting Patterns)
Percent of East Campus Residents that Use Given Mode Regularly
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Walk/Bike Drive Shuttle
% Respondents TO
% Respondents From
Over 50% of East Campus residents walk to campus at least once per week, but they also drive to campus at least once per week. Driving is not environmentally conscious behavior, nor is it good for student health.
Results (Commuting Needs)
Frequency East Campus Students Travel to Campus Each Day
27%
73%
Once
Twice orMore
•Over 80% of East Campus Students and 74% of all students are on campus beyond the hours of 8am – 5pm
regularly.
•73% of East Campus Students and 56% of all students travel to campus more than once per day.
Results (Commuting Attitudes)
Regression Analysis showed:
•Distance, Schedule, and Energy are not a significant factors in the decision to walk or bike.
•Safety: Only significant attitudinal factor found for walking/biking is whether respondent feels it is safe.
•Car: Those who own a car are more likely to believe that walking/biking is inconvenient.
East Campus Residents’ Walking/Biking attitudes.
Results (Commuting Attitudes)
Interviews showed:
•The shuttle “requires the least planning ahead.”
•It is “simple…you get on, you sit, and then you get off…it’s easy.”
Regression Analysis showed:
•Convenience: Those who do not often think about how they travel to campus are more likely to believe that the shuttle is convenient.
•& those who believe that the shuttle is convenient are more likely to take the shuttle.
East Campus Residents’ Shuttling attitudes.
DiscussionMode Choice: Urban Design or
Individual?Urban Design Factors:
Individual Factors:•Distance
•Safety
•Schedule
•Convenience
•Energy
•Car
•Car
•Convenience
•Distance
•Energy
•Safety
•Schedule
(-)
(+)(-)
(+)
(-)
(+)
SummaryWe gathered information about East Campus
Students’:
•Commuting Patterns
•Commuting Needs
•Commuting Attitudes•We found that their patterns do not have positive environmental behavior nor are they beneficial to student health.
•Their needs are very demanding. They must travel to campus several times per day and are on campus at odd hours.
•Both individual and urban design factors affect mode choice attitudes of students.
Conclusion
Future Research:• Experimental Study• Larger Sample Size
• More diverse population
AcknowledgementsMany thanks to:
My advisor and mentor:
Professor Marlon Boarnet&
Professor Kristen DayProfessor Craig AndersonProfessor Valerie Jenness
Tracy McMillanMariela Alfonzo
Layal Nawfal&
My Family and FriendsFor their guidance and encouragement
This project was funded by
The UCI Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program
Please send inquiries to:
tangi@uci.eduIrene Tang
Department of Planning, Policy and Design
University of California, Irvine