The Optimal Choice of Commuting Speed: Consequences for Commuting Time, Distance and Costs

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The Optimal Choice of Commuting Speed: Consequences for Commuting Time, Distance and Costs

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Jos Van Ommeren
Joyce Dargay

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Jos van Ommeren

Abstract

In this paper, we derive a structural model for commuting speed. We presume that commuting speed is chosen to minimise commuting costs, which encompass both monetary and time costs. At faster speed levels, the monetary costs increase, but the time costs fall. Using data from Great Britain, we demonstrate that the income elasticity of commuting speed is approximately 0.13. The ratio of variable monetary costs to travel time costs is estimated to be about 0.14. An implication of this is that as incomes rise commuters choose faster modes, despite their higher monetary costs. This has been an important factor in the growth of commuting by car in the past decades (for example, during the 90s the percentage of work trips made by car in Britain increased from 65 per cent to 70 per cent) and is anticipated to be relevant in the next decades for developing countries such as China and India. With increasing congestion, the time-advantage of car travel will decline, but unless faster public transport modes are available, there will be little incentive to switch to public transport (unless the monetary costs decline substantially in relation to car travel). © 2006 LSE and the University of Bath

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Article provided by London School of Economics and University of Bath in its journal Journal of Transport Economics and Policy.

Volume (Year): 40 (2006)
Issue (Month): 2 (May)
Pages: 279-296
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Handle: RePEc:tpe:jtecpo:v:40:y:2006:i:2:p:279-296

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Web page: http://www.bath.ac.uk/e-journals/jtep

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Paper
- Jos van Ommeren & Joyce Dargay, 2004. "The Optimal Choice of Commuting Speed: Consequences for Commuting Time, Distance and Costs," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 04-092/3, Tinbergen Institute. [Downloadable!]

Cited by:
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Muhammad Sabir & Jos van Ommeren & Mark Koetse & Piet Rietveld, 2008. "Welfare Effects of Adverse Weather through Speed Changes in Car Commuting Trips," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 08-087/3, Tinbergen Institute. [Downloadable!]

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