Student travel mode choice : a case study of students attending the University of Texas at Austin

In the last several years, student mode choice has increasingly become an important area of study. Findings from these studies can be applied to regional travel demand modeling efforts, campus planning efforts, and sustainability initiatives, among others. This paper presents an analysis of student mode choice at the University of Texas at Austin, using statistical and geographic information systems analysis, based on the University of Texas Parking and Transportation Services mode choice survey administered during the spring 2014 semester. Results showed that within this sample, more students take alternative modes than drive alone, though the proportion of students driving alone to campus remains substantial. Among other conclusions, analysis also indicated clustering of respondent residential locations, and drive alone hotspots in several zip codes primarily in south/southeast Austin. These results point to a geographic area where it may be beneficial to concentrate resources aimed at inducing drivers to switch to an alternative mode of transportation, in order to support UT’s mobility and sustainability goals.