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  4. The effect of weather on travel modes: a Chicago case study

The effect of weather on travel modes: a Chicago case study

File(s)
Park_cornell_0058O_11329.pdf (1 MB)
Permanent Link(s)
https://doi.org/10.7298/x26g-vq60
https://hdl.handle.net/1813/110444
Collections
Cornell Theses and Dissertations
Applied Economics and Management MS Theses
Author
Park, Sangwoo
Abstract

The last decade has been marked with the growth of new travel options such as bikeshare, e-scooters, and rideshare in major American cities. Given that some of these emerging transport modes are more exposed to the elements than other traditional modes of travel, it is important to understand how the current transportation landscape in urban areas is affected by adverse weather. This is of particular interest due to the possibility that climate change in the future could exacerbate any existing vulnerabilities that the urban transport sector has with respect to unfavorable weather conditions. Using daily-level weather data and trips data from various transport modes in Chicago, this study examines the effect of weather on the composition of bikeshare, public transit, and rideshare use, as well as on certain average trip characteristics. Specifically, I consider the effect of weather on average ridesharing trip distances, average rideshare trip speeds, and average bikeshare trip times. This study reveals that the hottest days are linked to lower proportions of rail transit trips and higher proportional use of rideshare. The wettest days in terms of precipitation coincide with lower bikeshare trip proportions, higher proportional use of rideshare, lower average rideshare trip distances, and lower rideshare speeds. The coldest daily temperatures are associated with reduced proportions of bikeshare trips and average bikeshare trip times. Furthermore, the windiest days correspond to shorter and slower rideshare trips. While this study does not make any direct projections of how urban mobility will be impacted by climate change, my findings give insights into the sensitivities that travellers in Chicago have with respect to specific weather events. By considering a number of metrics that have not yet been widely considered in the literature, this study aims to give a more comprehensive picture of the ways in which weather can affect urban mobility.

Description
56 pages
Date Issued
2021-08
Committee Chair
Bobea, Ariel Ortiz
Committee Member
Li, Shanjun
Degree Discipline
Applied Economics and Management
Degree Name
M.S., Applied Economics and Management
Degree Level
Master of Science
Type
dissertation or thesis
Link(s) to Catalog Record
https://newcatalog.library.cornell.edu/catalog/15160121

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