Effects of Perceived Neighborhood Walkability on Mode Choice of Short-Distance Trips in Hanoi city

Abstract

By using subjective evaluation of neighborhood walkability collected in Hanoi in 2011, this study empirically investigates how walkability is different across different types of neighborhoods and how it influences mode choices of short-distance trips. Surprisingly, the results of walkability comparison indicate that new-urban neighborhoods are less walkable than downtown and mixed neighborhoods. Specifically, downtown neighborhoods have strengths in terms of aesthetics and walking facilities, while the positive aspects of mixed neighborhoods are accessibility by foot, trees and street connectivity. Further, the results of multinomial logit model indicate that perceived neighborhood walkability has a significant influence on mode choices of short-distance trips: (1) accessibility by foot and walking facilities have positive influences on walking choice in mixed and downtown neighborhoods, and (2) the fear of crime is positively associated with the use of motorcycles in all three neighborhood types. These findings are important to improve neighborhood planning in Hanoi.