2011 Volume 9 Pages 271-286
The analysis of children’s activity-travel patterns has gained increasing attention in a variety of research fields. Most of the previous studies suggested that more compact development promotes less car-dependent travel among children. Unfortunately distinguishing what was a cultural artefact and what was a ‘universal’ truth of children’s travel is difficult as existing literature on children’s travel vary not just by country, but also by measures and analysis. The aim of this paper is to help bridge this gap of knowledge. Using the UK National Travel Survey and the Osaka Regional Area person trip datasets, this paper compares children’s travel behaviour in two countries with significantly different cultures. This paper discusses both consistencies and discrepancies of travel behaviours between the countries to highlight what factors are consistent despite cultural differences, and what may vary within cultures or different built environments.
