If we can cycle to places, do we still drive: Investigating transport accessibility and annual car travel : A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Planning

Abstract

The purpose of this dissertation was to establish if people drive more or less in high and low accessibility areas and what it means for both policy and car orientated travel behaviour. Car dominance has been established in New Zealand with accessibility orientated policy having the potential to change this and reduce our reliance on the private vehicle. After reviewing relevant literature, it was established that research regarding accessibility had been well established both in New Zealand and internationally. However, comparing active mode accessibility to VKT has not been done spatially. Therefore, there is an opportunity to investigate the spatial correlation between accessibility and VKT and to discuss the implications it will have on transport policy and describing behaviour. To do so a spatial assessment using ArcGIS of both VKT and active mode accessibility was conducted. Active mode accessibility was assessed using a four-kilometre service area buffer to key locations including; primary schools, secondary schools, tertiary education, hospitals, health centres, supermarkets and employment. Annual VKT was assessed using the WoF dataset and only the year 2017 and 2018 and private vehicles were of interest. Car ownership rates were applied to VKT to calculate the annual VKT per person. Both accessibility and annual VKT were compared using area units. Results showed accessibility being greatest within the CBD and becoming increasingly poor further out. The correlation between accessibility and median annual VKT was 0.39, and the correlation between median annual VKT per person was 0.56. Accessibility results were consistent with other literature. Compared to other literature both correlations were strong. Overall people located in accessible areas do drive less; however, there are areas where this is not the case. A quantitative analysis of behaviour in areas identified to not follow the overall trend should be conducted. Accessibility focus policy should be applied with caution.