Travel Demand

The NCST develops and assesses strategies to promote multi-modal travel and reduce car dependence in urban, suburban, and rural settings for both passenger and goods movement, as well as the potential of these strategies to improve accessibility to jobs, housing, and other activities for disadvantaged populations. Studies have evaluated strategies for shifting travel from solo driving to more efficient, low-carbon modes, including transit, walking and biking, and “new mobility” services, such as ride-hailing, bike-sharing, and micro-transit. Other studies have addressed the implications for vehicle-miles-traveled (VMT) of “logistics sprawl,” automated cars, and highway capacity. 

Envisioning Micromobility as Public Transit: Two intervention studies in the living lab of Davis, California

  • Principal Investigator Kari E. Watkins, Ph.D.
  • University of California, Davis
To begin to envision micromobility as serving existing public transit and acting as public transportation itself, the researchers will examine the role of pricing on micromobility demand. In this project, the researchers will conduct two pricing-focused field experiments, partnered with the micromobility operator, SPIN, and a railway operator, Capitol Corridor.
Project Status
In Progress

Equity Concerns Related to Induced Travel and Mitigation

  • Principal Investigator Jesus Barajas, Ph.D
  • University of California, Davis
This project will develop guidance for evaluating sociodemographic disparities from the impacts of State Highway System expansion projects and associated vehicle miles traveled (VMT) mitigation strategies.
Project Status
Complete

Exploring Induced Travel Effects from Other Projects

  • Principal Investigator Jamey Volker, PhD
  • University of California, Davis
The purpose of this project is to explore the induced travel effects of categories of roadway expansions not currently covered by the Induced Travel Calculator, including minor arterials, interchanges, on- and off-ramps, and non-general-purpose facilities.
Project Status
Complete

How Do People Receive Information About Public Transit?

  • Principal Investigator Kari E. Watkins, Ph.D.
  • University of California, Davis
This research aims to explore how both transit riders and non-riders access public transit information for the purpose of planning and taking trips on transit
Project Status
In Progress

Impacts of Remote/Hybrid Work and Remote Services on Activity and Transportation Patterns

  • Principal Investigator Giovanni Circella, Ph.D.
  • University of California, Davis
This project will greatly improve the understanding of the impacts of remote/hybrid work and other remote services and inform State and planning agencies by shedding light on the complex ways remote activities affect short‐term daily routines (e.g., telecommuting vs. commuting trips, travel mode choice, and spatial/ temporal trip distributions) and long‐term choices (vehicle choice, residential location and real estate development), and will help understand the impacts on vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and transportation‐based greenhouse gas (GHG) emission impacts. 
Project Status
In Progress
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