A panel analysis of the effects of the Hanshin-Awaji earthquake on travel behavior

Abstract

In this study the effects of the Hanshin-Awaji earthquake on travel behavior are analyzed using a travel and time use panel data set. This data set was collected in a three-wave panel survey. The first wave and the second wave of the panel study were carried out in November 1993 and November 1994, before the earthquake which hit the Hanshin-Awaji area in January, 1995. The third wave was carried out in June 1995, after the earthquake. The disaggregate panel analysis of time use and travel indicates that 1) in the Hanshin-Awaj area, the increase in travel time caused the increase in total time spent on travel on a day, in spite of reductions in trip frequency, 2) the level of transportation service and the fraction of collapsed buildings are the factors that contribute to the increase of total daily travel time, and 3) total daily travel time affects individual time use patterns.