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Commute Mode Share and Access to Jobs across US Metropolitan Areas

Author

Listed:
  • Hao Wu
  • Andrew Owen
  • David Levinson

    (TransportLab, School of Civil Engineering, University of Sydney)

Abstract

How much of the variation in transit mode share is attributable to accessibility is not well understood, despite its significant policy implications. It is hypothesized that better transit accessibility leads to higher transit mode share. This paper explains block group level transit mode share using transit accessibility in a logistic model for 48 major US metropolitan areas. Transit accessibility alone explains much of the variation in transit mode share for all 48 regions despite their geographical differences (adjusted R2 0.61, potential accessibility); models for individual cities have stable and interpretable parameters for transit accessibility. The models better explain mode share in cities with higher person weighted transit accessibility and larger populations; an adjusted R2 of 0.76 is achieved for New York City with transit accessibility as the only explanatory variable. Additional automobile accessibility and income variables modestly improve model fit. Time–decay functions fitted to accessibility measures better explain mode choice than the isochrone accessibility, and suggest the catchment area affecting transit mode choice to be within 35 minutes. This work contributes to the understanding of transit mode share by solidifying its link with accessibility, which is determined by the structure of the transport network and land development.

Suggested Citation

  • Hao Wu & Andrew Owen & David Levinson, 2021. "Commute Mode Share and Access to Jobs across US Metropolitan Areas," Working Papers 2021-13, University of Minnesota: Nexus Research Group.
    • Handle: RePEc:nex:wpaper:commutemodeshareaccessjobs
    DOI: 10.1177/2399808319887394
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/2123/21186
    File Function: First version, 2021
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Cited by:

    1. Rayaprolu, Hema & Levinson, David, 2024. "Co-evolution of public transport access and ridership," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    2. Cui, Mengying & Yu, Lijie & Nie, Shaoyu & Dai, Zhe & Ge, Ying-en & Levinson, David, 2025. "How do access and spatial dependency shape metro passenger flows," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 123(C).
    3. repec:cdl:itsdav:qt7t5876bw is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Fielbaum, Andres, 2024. "On the relationship between free public transport, stop spacing, and optimal frequencies," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    5. Linlin Liu & Bohong Zheng & Chen Luo & Komi Bernard Bedra & Francis Masrabaye, 2022. "Access to City Center: Automobile vs. Public Transit," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-16, May.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • R41 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Transportation: Demand, Supply, and Congestion; Travel Time; Safety and Accidents; Transportation Noise
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments

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