Study on Commuting Trips and Job Accessibility for Commuters with Different Residential Locations — A Case Study of Shanghai

Abstract

Many Chinese metropolises are in an ever-growing suburbanization, with the economy blooming and population agglomerating. The home/work separation is increasing due to large numbers of residents moving from the inner city to the suburbs as a result of the government-led urban redevelopment or house rate leverage, while the highest density of jobs remains in the inner city. The home/work separation is thought to be the trigger of over-commuting, traffic congestion, low job accessibility and other urban problems. In China, where the inner city residents' emigration was conducted within a short time, suburban commuting and job accessibility piqued researchers' interests. In order to provide a deeper understanding of this issue in those metropolises, this study (conducted in Shanghai) analyzes commuting trips and job accessibility of commuters with different residential locations, while also bringing into consideration transportation mode choice, public transit availability and commuter income level. The data in this study comes from the 4th Shanghai Comprehensive Traffic Survey and its supplementary survey. Results show that job accessibility changes with the residential location — the closer commuters reside to the city center, the better job accessibility they could enjoy. Commute mode choice and public transit conditions also affect the residents' job accessibility. The study points out the importance of public transit conditions on commuting and job accessibility, gives well-directed suggestions for planners and decision-makers to work out reasonable planning and construction of public transit systems which could improve job accessibility among different groups, guarantee the residential stability and social equity, and promote balanced and energetic development of the city.