Planning for less travel: identifying land use characteristics associated with more sustainable travel patterns

摘要

This study examines the extent to which land use planning can influence travel and how it might be able toudreduce the environmental impact of transport. Although other studies have examined this issue before, manyudhave only examined the influence of a small number of land use characteristics and most have not taken accountudof socio-economic reasons for variations in travel in different areas. This study examines the influence of a rangeudof land use characteristics on travel and takes into account a large number of socio-economic characteristics. Itudalso examines whether the links between travel, socio-economic and land use characteristics have changed overudtime.udThe hypothesis of the study is that land use policies influence travel patterns even when differences in social andudeconomic characteristics are taken into account. The study examines several sets of data containing informationudon travel, socio-economic characteristics and land use. Data from the National Travel Survey are examined toudidentify relationships between land use, socio-economic characteristics and travel patterns. Data from fourudseparate National Travel Surveys are used to examine whether these relationships change over time. Data fromudtwo local travel surveys from Kent and Leicestershire are also used to provide a more detailed level of analysis.udThe data from the two local surveys also allow some comparison with the data from the National Travel Surveys.udThe relationships between land use, socio-economic characteristics and travel patterns are examined usingudmultiple regression analysis. Although causal relationships cannot be identified in the absence of longitudinaluddata, the study does provide insights into possible interactions between land use, socio-economic characteristicsudand travel patterns. After identifying the land use characteristics associated with lower travel demand, theudplanning implications for reducing the demand for travel are considered. Issues of policy implementationudincluding obstacles, barriers and responsibilities are discussed. The research contributes to knowledge aboutudplanning policies that promote more sustainable development. It focuses on a topic that might practicallyudcontribute to the search for indicators of sustainable development, the revision of government planning guidanceudon transport and land use planning and the formulation of the recently announced Urban White Paper. Theudresearch also identifies specific land use characteristics that might be used by local authorities in developingudmore sustainable planning policies.udThe results of the study show that the variation in travel patterns across different areas is often due more toudsocio-economic reasons than land use characteristics. However, land use planning is still likely to have audsignificant effect on influencing travel patterns, particularly if supported by complementary measures.