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Policy Implications of Excess Commuting: Examining the Impacts of Changes in US Metropolitan Spatial Structure

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  • Jiawen Yang

    (Program of City and Regional Planning, Architecture Building East, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0155, USA, jy78@mail.gatech.edu)

Abstract

This article examines how changes in US metropolitan spatial structure lead to an increase in measurable excess commuting and a decrease in measurable transport—land use connections. Using Boston and Atlanta as two comparative regions, this research computes excess commuting with three-decade census data and then examines excess commuting in relation to the changes in metropolitan spatial structure. Empirical results suggest that the transport—land use connection appears weaker over the decades as the dispersion of jobs changes the dynamics of commuting and the selection of residential location follows patterns of average job location rather than that of the closest available job location. This decreasing transport—land use connection points to a spatial structure effect apart from individual preferences. It also suggests an alternative view of excess commuting for metropolitan transport policy-making.

Suggested Citation

  • Jiawen Yang, 2008. "Policy Implications of Excess Commuting: Examining the Impacts of Changes in US Metropolitan Spatial Structure," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 45(2), pages 391-405, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:45:y:2008:i:2:p:391-405
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098007085969
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Hu, Yujie & Wang, Fahui, 2015. "Decomposing excess commuting: a Monte Carlo simulation approach," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 43-52.
    2. Diao, Mi, 2019. "Towards sustainable urban transport in Singapore: Policy instruments and mobility trends," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 320-330.
    3. Bindong Sun & Tinglin Zhang & Zhou He & Rui Wang, 2017. "Urban Spatial Structure And Motorization In China," Journal of Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 57(3), pages 470-486, June.
    4. Zhou, Jiangping & Murphy, Enda, 2019. "Day-to-day variation in excess commuting: An exploratory study of Brisbane, Australia," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 223-232.
    5. García-Palomares, Juan Carlos, 2010. "Urban sprawl and travel to work: the case of the metropolitan area of Madrid," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 18(2), pages 197-213.
    6. Loo, Becky P.Y. & Chow, Alice S.Y., 2011. "Jobs-housing balance in an era of population decentralization: An analytical framework and a case study," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 19(4), pages 552-562.
    7. Mark J. Kutzbach, 2010. "Access to Workers or Employers? An Intra-Urban Analysis of Plant Location Decisions," Working Papers 10-21r, Center for Economic Studies, U.S. Census Bureau, revised Sep 2012.
    8. Rebeca Fontanilla Andong & Edsel Sajor, 2017. "Urban sprawl, public transport, and increasing CO2 emissions: the case of Metro Manila, Philippines," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 19(1), pages 99-123, February.
    9. 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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