Title

Measuring transportation: traffic, mobility and accessibility

Authors

Todd Litman

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2003

Subject Area

Modes of Transport - Bicycle, Modes of Transport - Car - Driver, Modes of Transport - Pedestrian, Transport planning - Transport demand

Abstract

This article compares three approaches to measuring transportation system performance and discusses their effects on planning decisions. Traffic-based measurements (such as vehicle trips, traffic speed and roadway level of service) evaluate motor vehicle movement. Mobility based measurements (such as person-miles, door-to-door traffic times and ton-miles) evaluate person and freight movement. Accessibility-based measurements (such as person-trips and generalised travel costs) evaluate the ability of people and businesses to reach desired goods, services and activities. Accessibility is the ultimate goal of most transportation and so is the best approach to use.