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Urban Spatial Change and Excess Commuting

Author

Listed:
  • Kang-Rae Ma

    (Centre for Transport and Society, Faculty of the Built Environment, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, England)

  • David Banister

    (The Bartlett School of Planning, University College London, London WC1H 0QB, England)

Abstract

In this paper we revisit the excess-commuting technique and its links with urban form. The uncertainty in measurement is highlighted, as are the problems relating to changes in excess commuting over time. The measure of the theoretical maximum commute is proposed and added to the traditional excess-commuting measure so that the use of both the minimum and maximum levels can capture the concept of commuting potential. This measure is what we call the ‘extended excess-commuting measure’. These concepts are tested through the use of a simulation exercise. As well as arguing for the inclusion of socioeconomic variables in analysis, we demonstrate that decentralisation in urban spatial structure can lead to either an increase or a decrease in average commuting distance. Some of the inconsistencies in the use of excess commuting can be reduced through the use of actual commutes together with the commuting range, as these factors in combination lead to a clearer understanding of commuting efficiency.

Suggested Citation

  • Kang-Rae Ma & David Banister, 2007. "Urban Spatial Change and Excess Commuting," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 39(3), pages 630-646, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:39:y:2007:i:3:p:630-646
    DOI: 10.1068/a37441
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. William P. Anderson & Pavlos S. Kanaroglou & Eric J. Miller, 1996. "Urban Form, Energy and the Environment: A Review of Issues, Evidence and Policy," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 33(1), pages 7-35, February.
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    3. David Merriman & Toru Ohkawara & Tsutomu Suzuki, 1995. "Excess Commuting in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area: Measurement and Policy Simulations," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 32(1), pages 69-85, February.
    4. Frost, Martin & Linneker, Brian & Spence, Nigel, 1998. "Excess or wasteful commuting in a selection of British cities," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 32(7), pages 529-538, September.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Li, Tiebei & Burke, Matthew & Dodson, Jago, 2017. "Transport impacts of government employment decentralization in an Australian city – Testing scenarios using transport simulation," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 63-71.
    3. Cheng, Lin & Chen, Chen & Xiu, Chunliang, 2017. "Excess kindergarten travel in Changchun, Northeast China: A measure of residence-kindergarten spatial mismatch," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 208-216.
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    5. Vincent Viguié, 2015. "Cross-commuting and housing prices in a polycentric modeling of cities," Policy Papers 2015.03, FAERE - French Association of Environmental and Resource Economists.
    6. Andrew R. Watkins, 2016. "Commuting Flows and Labour Market Structure: Modelling Journey to Work Behaviour in an Urban Environment," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(4), pages 612-630, December.
    7. Korsu, Emre & Le Néchet, Florent, 2017. "Would fewer people drive to work in a city without excess commuting? Explorations in the Paris metropolitan area," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 259-274.
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