Multimodal travel behaviour, walkability indices, and social mobility: how neighbourhood walkability, income and household characteristics guide walking, biking & transit decisions

Abstract

Recent research in city planning has measured “walkability” and multi-modalism through quantification of the built environment. Results have shown correlations with increased property values and neighbourhood stabilisation as well as a lack of spatial distribution of accessible resources based on socio-economic class. Some studies suggest that improvements in these measures can be made, particularly with regard to commute mode diversity. This study tests and scrutinises the association between a walkability index and multimodal travel behaviour – controlling for both built environment and socio-demographic attributes of agents in investigating stated non-vehicular transportation modes. It finds that walkability indexes are connected to multimodal behaviours broadly; whether it be those who walking, bicycling, and or taking transit. It also finds that distance is a significantly associated with transit behaviour in walkable neighbourhoods, but the probability of walking or cycling is tied more to the built environment factors, age, household income and size. These results suggest that cities might benefit from policy efforts that not only continue to address issues of spatial equity but that they might consider policies that promote income mobility to encourage sustainable travel.