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Commuting Inequality between Cars and Public Transit: The Case of the San Francisco Bay Area, 1990-2000

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  • Mizuki Kawabata

    (Centre for Spatial Information Sciences, University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa-shi, Chiba 277-8568, Japan, mizuki@csis.u-tokyo.ac.jp)

  • Qing Shen

    (Urban Studies and Planning Program, University of Maryland, 1215 Architecture Building, College Park, MD 20742, USA, qshen@umd.edu)

Abstract

Equity in access to opportunities is increasingly recognised as an essential component of sustainable development and transport. This study presents a spatial and temporal examination of commuting inequality between cars and public transit in the San Francisco Bay Area. Results visualised in the maps show considerable inequality and temporal changes in job accessibility and commuting time between cars and public transit as well as among locations within the metropolitan area. Results from OLS and spatial regression models indicate that, in both 1990 and 2000, greater job accessibility was significantly associated with shorter commuting time for driving alone as well as for public transit, but the degree of this association was considerably greater for public transit than for driving alone. Urban and transport development that enhances mobility and accessibility for public transit relative to cars should be strongly encouraged.

Suggested Citation

  • Mizuki Kawabata & Qing Shen, 2007. "Commuting Inequality between Cars and Public Transit: The Case of the San Francisco Bay Area, 1990-2000," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 44(9), pages 1759-1780, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:44:y:2007:i:9:p:1759-1780
    DOI: 10.1080/00420980701426616
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    References listed on IDEAS

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