Transportation_survey_journal
Introduction & Background
Universities
Creating Demand
Universities campuses in college towns provide unique opportunities to reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions other pollutants. Interest in university student travel behavior has grown among researchers and policy makers and car dependency continues to adversely impact U.S. communities. Universities are institutions that create awareness of climate change mitigation and sustainable transportation practices.
Travel Behavior
The university is a “window of opportunity” for significant lifestyle changes, like travel behavior. Travel behavior habits are repetitive decision made in a stable state of life based on the current knowledge and perspective of available resources. Theory of planned behavior(TPB) suggest travel behavior are habits that are significant influenced by a commuters knowledge and perceptions of the available transportation system. Travel behavior is understood to give insight to commuter belief and perspectives, and attitude towards travel modes. (deangelis2012?) used the Value-belief-norms(VBN) understand that an individuals moral obligation to the environment can significantly impact travel mode choice. Understanding that habitual travel behavaiors are based on individual morals, explains how personal experiences and attitudes can shape travel mode choice. A commuter’s knowledge and perception of the available transportation modes will decide their travel behavior.
Study suggest habits are best broken and formed most easily during transitional period of life like have a child, relocating for a new job, or going to college. During these transitional periods individuals are inevitably induced to new environments or experiences that may influence their perspectives and grow their knowledge base. Changes adopted during this “window of opportunity” are likely to effect lifestyle choice like mode choice and last into later life beyond the university campus. (deangelis2012?). An commuters who uses alternative transportation option during college will view biking, walking, or public transit as favorable options later in life. Where as someone who drive most of their time on campus is likely to continue with less chance of reconsidering other options. (okrazeska?,) find that students are more likely than staff to choice alternative and active travel modes. About 20% University staff preferred travel modes for their directness, duration, convenience and flexibility. These travel preferences are consistent with staff demographics, representing a more stable consistent lifestyle, having dependents, and living away from campus.
Using Alternative Travel Modes
University students transient living and wide use to travel modes, marking them as notably from the general population. University students are more likely to adopt alternative travel modes, having a higher portion versus staff and general public. Students populations tend to walk and and bike more reducing car trips. Student tend prioritize housing that is affordable and close to campus, providing them more travel mode choice. The variety of quality transportation modes and high portion of alternative transportation modes creates a need for a more comprehensive transportation system, less reliant on fossil fuels. Universities increase the demand on local transportation system while providing an opportunity to expand alternative transportation modes. Today large university campuses are a microcosm of the urban landscape and provides a ideal environment for studying transportation policy and infrastructure. (Zhou, Wang, and Wu 2018, 133)
University Students Trip Generation
Universities are major contributors to commuting trips averaging 20% higher than the general public, 3.69 daily tripsKhattak et al. (2011). (Khattak et al. 2011) defines a trip as moving at least 300 feet from one address to another. This definition is important for capturing travel behavior of university students living on and around campus. Undergraduate students living on campus make the most trips when compared to other university groups. University students make shorter non-motorized trips, utilizing walking and biking infrastructure. (Khattak et al. 2011).
Increasing demand for local transportation infrastructure As transportation cost and impact vary, there is a need for policy and infrastructure that encourages more sustainable transportation systems.
Physical Environment & Urban Form
College Towns
Universities or these cities within cities occupy large portions of the local area and population(Romanowska, Okraszewska, and Jamroz 2019). College towns are typically smaller in population and more compact with a median student population of 33%(Zhou, Wang, and Wu 2018). A dense student population in a small town create opportunity to physical characteristics of campus to reduce adverse impacts from increasing transportation demand by promoting active and alternative travel.(p.15)
Travel Distance, Travel Time, Land Use, Transportation Planning, Density
(romanowka2019?) identifies access to a vehicle, trip origin, and trip distance as key factors in travel mode choice.(Angelis, Mantecchini, and Pietrantoni 2021) finds locations and travel continuity as significantly impact mode choice. The high density at Texas State increases potential for “transport infrastructure and services” supporting multi-modal travel. Compact campus design promoted higher trip rates among students. Higher density creates more complex transportation patterns. May increase the importance of efficient multi-modal transportation systems. High students density presents both challenges and opportunities for promoting alternative transportation.
Studies find that improved biking and pedestrian infrastructure reduces car commuting, to up 14%(romanowka2019?).
University students live relatively close to campus and have accessible to quality multi-modal transportation systems(Zhou, Wang, and Wu 2018, 132)
For many the university campus is the A more rigorous focus on university travel will provide insight on how the built environment combined with social factors effect travel behavior(Angelis, Mantecchini, and Pietrantoni 2021).
Texas State University
Texas State University student population in the fall of 2024 accounted for over half the local population. San Marcos, Texas, home to Texas State University (TXST), has a population exceeding 71,000 (census2023?). As a college town, TXST itself hosts over 40,000 students, making it a significant contributor to local transportation patterns (best390colleges2025?). TXST main campus is compact, with 259 building on 457 acre.(UniversityMasterPlan?)
This project aims to highlight the travel behavior of TXST students and explore opportunities for sustainable transportation improvements.
Research Question:
How can universities leverage physical and social factors on campus to reduce transportation emissions?
Objectives
- Analyze transportation and travel behavior of Texas State University students using parking survey data from the Fall 2024 semester.
- Identify trends and areas for improvement in campus transportation planning using available Campus Master Plans(2017-2027 & 2025).
- Provide actionable recommendations to reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions.
Methodology
- Data Collection: Utilize parking survey data from Fall 2024.
- Analysis:
- Perform statistical summary analysis of travel behavior based on survey responses.
- Identify key insights related to transportation patterns.
- Examine the potential impact of changes in travel behavior on greenhouse gas emissions.
- Summary and Recommendations:
- Draft a summary analysis of the findings.
- Propose actionable steps for TXST to promote sustainable transportation.