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The share of Single Occupancy Vehicle (SOV) commute trips has steadily increased since 1980, 58% of total trips. The 2000 census shows SOV trips accounting for 62.4% of the total trips.
The number of commuters carpooling to work decreased from the 1990 census to the 2000 census from 9.2% of all commuters to 7.9%.
Bicycle travel has been steadily increases over the past couple of decades. Data collected by the census bureau shows bicycle commuters have increased from 1.8% in 1980 to 2.3% in 2000. A study produced by the Urban & Regional Research Collaborative at the University of Michigan shows bicycle commuters to downtown businesses have increased from 3.6% in 2000 to 4.2% in 2005 of all commuters.
The number of people walking to work has steadily declined, according to the U.S. Census. Census results show that 18.3% of commuters choose to walk in 1980, while 15.8% of commuters walked in 2000. However a study prepared by the Urban and Regional Research Collaborative at the University of Michigan shows that walking commuters to downtown businesses has increased from 2000 to 2005, from 11.8% to 15.1%.
Sources: U.S. Census and the Urban & Regional Research Collaborative at the University of Michigan |
The following charts show the change from the 1990 to 2000 census for Ann Arbor and peer communities from around the nation.
|
2000 |
Car Alone |
Carpool |
Public Transit |
Bicycle |
Walk Alone |
Work at Home |
|
Ann Arbor |
62.6% |
7.9% |
6.6% |
2.3% |
15.8% |
4.4% |
|
Berkley, CA |
43.2% |
9.6% |
18.6% |
5.6% |
14.9% |
6.8% |
|
Boulder, CO |
59.8% |
8.7% |
8.3% |
6.9% |
9.0% |
6.5% |
|
Cambridge, MA |
35.0% |
5.4% |
25.1% |
3.9% |
24.4% |
5.3% |
|
Champaign, IL |
64.5% |
10.8% |
6.2% |
2.2% |
12.3% |
3.4% |
|
Eugene, OR |
66.8% |
11.2% |
4.9% |
5.5% |
6.1% |
4.7% |
|
Lansing |
78.7% |
12.9% |
2.7% |
0.4% |
2.4% |
2.5% |
|
Madison, WI |
65.7% |
9.6% |
7.2% |
3.2% |
10.7% |
3.1% |
|
|
|
1990 |
Car Alone |
Carpool |
Public Transit |
Bicycle |
Walk Alone |
Work at Home |
|
Ann Arbor |
61.8% |
9.2% |
5.7% |
2.1% |
17.1% |
3.9% |
|
Berkley, CA |
45.3% |
9.8% |
15.2% |
4.9% |
16.8% |
6.1% |
|
Boulder, CO |
61.3% |
9.5% |
5.6% |
7.0% |
10.7% |
5.1% |
|
Cambridge, MA |
37.5% |
7.5% |
23.5% |
2.9% |
24.0% |
3.9% |
|
Champaign, IL |
62.5% |
10.2% |
6.2% |
2.1% |
15.2% |
3.1% |
|
Eugene, OR |
69.0% |
9.9% |
3.5% |
5.8% |
6.9% |
4.0% |
|
Lansing |
77.3% |
12.4% |
3.0% |
0.4% |
4.0% |
2.3% |
|
Madison, WI |
61.2% |
11.6% |
7.7% |
3.3% |
12.7% |
2.7% |
How are commuting behaviors defined?
A single occupancy vehicle commute is a trip to or from work by an individual alone in a car, truck or van. The category ‘‘Drove alone,’’ includes people who usually drove alone to work as well as people who were driven to work by someone who then drove back home or to a nonwork destination. A carpool commute is one that includes two or more people usually rode to work in the vehicle (either car, truck or van) during the reference week. According to data collected for the census, "walking alone’’ includes workers who usually used a bus or trolley bus, streetcar or trolley car, subway or elevated, railroad, ferryboat, or taxicab during the reference week.
How do different styles of commuting impact the Ann Arbor environment?
When compared to ride sharing, single occupancy vehicle commutes contribute more greenhouse gas emissions and decrease energy efficiency of transportation.
Public transportation generally reduces the total amount of vehicles on the road, reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions and energy efficiency of getting to work.
Riding a bicycle to work greatly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. Bicycles also reduces dependence on fossil fuels, saves gas money, reduces traffic congestion, and has positive impacts for physical and mental health.
How can I find others in Ann Arbor who are interested in carpooling?
AATA RideShare provides free, computerized carpool and vanpool matching services that help people with their daily work or college commute. Applicants are matched with others who share common neighborhoods, destinations and hours.
if your destination is outside Washtenaw County, go to www.michiganrideshare.org to locate a Rideshare office within your destination area.
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