In general, doubling residential or population density reduced the annual auto mileage per capita 25-30 percent and the annual auto mileage per household around 30 percent. Published by Urban Ecology, POB 10144, Berkeley, CA 94709. The implication of such statements is that it is futile to make any effort to reduce auto use or increase the market share of alternatives to the auto. The record seems to bear this assertion out and most decision makers, including transit managers, buy into this premise. But before we give up on reducing auto use by increased use of alternatives, to go to the opposite extreme and advocate implementing outright limitations on driving, let's look at some overlooked aspects of why people choose to travel.
People love mobility.
For some it is bicycle the car but for most it is the mobility. Canadians, Japanese and Western Europeans love mobility, or if your prefer, love their cars as much as Americans. There are a whole host of reasons why, many of which will be discussed in this presentation. But I want to dispense with the factors that aren't the reason. Culture plays little or no role in travel mode choice.