1. Objectifs

Intentions :
This paper « [...] investigate[s] the factors that influence distance traveled, with a particular focus on population groups of special interest [the elderly, low-income people and single-parent households]. » (p. 40)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
Les données analysées dans cet article proviennent du Greater Toronto Transportation Tomorrow Survey (données de 2001) et du Montreal’s Travel Survey (données de 2003).

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

« The focus of the analysis was on the elderly, individuals in single-parent households, and low-income households (for the case of Montreal). The study of spatial trends in distance traveled provides important information about the parts of the study areas where vulnerable populations tend to experience more restricted mobility conditions that may affect their access to opportunities, and thus locations where interventions may be required to alleviate or compensate for poor mobility conditions. The findings suggest that individuals in the three at-risk groups examined tend to travel shorter distances, but not in every case studied, and neither in the same magnitude. For instance, seniors display the most limited mobility patterns in Hamilton, but in Toronto and Montreal, single-parent household members have the lowest levels of mobility. Seniors in Montreal tend to undertake shorter trips than the reference group, whereas in Toronto, they tend to travel slightly longer distances compared to the reference. The effect of vehicle ownership is to increase the level of mobility, with exceptions, such as the elderly in Toronto, a condition that essentially cancels the benefit of access to a private vehicle. In general, there are relatively small differences between groups in terms of the estimates of distance traveled near the central parts of the three cities. The differences tend to become more important away from central cities. In particular, mobility limitations tend to be seen for the most part in suburban locations. » (p. 49)