A geodemographic analysis of the relationship between individual travel behavior and the neighborhood environment

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the association between individual travel behaviors, neighborhood built environment, and social area type based on a geodemographics dataset. Neighborhood environment includes population density, land use mixture, road density, service level of public transportation, destination accessibility, and topography. By using person trip survey data for Kyoto Prefecture residents in 2010, the results of multilevel logistic analysis showed that social area type can explain the variations of travel mode choice for commuting behavior―particularly the use of public transportation and vehicle, even after controlling for neighborhood environment and individual characteristics such as gender, age, occupation, and household vehicle ownership. On the other hand, there was little evidence of association between mode choice for shopping and social area type.