If we can cycle to places do we still drive? Investigating Transport Accessibility & Annual Car Travel

Fraser Dixon, Graduate Transportation Planner, Abley

DECEMBER 2020

Friday 11th December, 12.30 - 1.30pm

REAAA Young Presenter Competition

Winner Katarina Gage, Road Science

A sustainable future is one where active modes (e.g. cycling) are accessible, but even if they are will people still drive to get to places. The private vehicle has shaped the way cities have been built in New Zealand remaining a key driver of change today. T

The purpose of the research I carried out was to establish if a correlation exists between accessibility and Vehicles Kilometres Travelled (VKT) and what this means for policy and behaviour. An accessibility assessment was conducted based on a properties access to key locations within Christchurch and VKT was assessed by using the WoF dataset. Results showed accessibility being greatest within the CBD and becoming increasingly less further out. The correlation between accessibility and median annual VKT was R 2 = 0.39, and the correlation between median annual VKT per person was R 2 = 0.56.

These results suggested that overall people within accessible areas do drive less; however, there are areas where this was not the case. This can be improved through transport-related policies such as cycling infrastructure provisions and encouraging high-density development. The research concluded being close to destinations will mean you are less likely to drive as far, with the opportunity for future research.  Fraser's PowerPoint Presentation