A recent survey reveals that more Californians are moving to alternative modes of transportation, doubling figures from 2000.
The California Household Travel Survey, which was conducted by a number of state and regional agencies including Caltrans, found that nearly 23 percent of trips were taken by walking, biking and public transportation. In 2000, that number was just 11 percent
"Based on this research, we can make good decisions about transportation that will improve mobility, air quality, and travel choices for all Californians and make our state a better place to live and work," said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty.
The 2012 study provides a snapshot of the travel behavior of approximately 109,000 persons from more than 42,000 households in 58 California counties. This included parents driving to work or kids biking to school.
Participants received diaries and recorded where and when they traveled and how they got to and from their destinations on one random day. The average number of trips for a household was 9.2, while the average number of trips per person was 3.6.
Last year, legislation was approved creating California's $129 million Active Transportation Program, which distributes funding for human-powered transportation projects and programs to increase the proportion of trips accomplished by biking and walking.
Caltrans and transportation planning agencies will use the CHTS data to forecast future travel demands and greenhouse gas emissions and look for ways to improve transportation to meet the needs of the state's residents.
The survey has been conducted roughly every 10 years since 1991. The most recent review began in January 2012 and ended in February 2013.
