Resources

The proportion (share) of travellers using different modes of transport is known as ‘mode share’; ‘mode shift’ refers to changes in mode share over time. By understanding mode share and mode shift, authorities (this includes regional and local councils, and transport authorities) can monitor long-term trends in travel behaviour, and measure the impact of transport policy or infrastructure on mode share.

Traditional ways of measuring mode share (household travel surveys and censuses) do not produce sufficiently detailed, timely or comprehensive information. This limits their use for planning and monitoring transport infrastructure, policies and other interventions. To overcome this problem, two alternative methods are emerging: screenline and link-based approaches. Both are well suited to measuring mode share at a smaller spatial scale (such as, a region, city or transport corridor). Depending on the technology used to collect data, both approaches can also monitor travel activity more frequently (up to continuous monitoring), so authorities can observe mode-shift trends for different timescales.

In this study, the researchers assessed conventional (household travel surveys) and emerging options (screenline and link-based approaches) being used by authorities in New Zealand, Australia and internationally. Several New Zealand authorities have invested in advanced data infrastructure and capabilities and are making significant progress towards monitoring transport activity continuously in their areas. However, the researchers discovered that no single technology or data source can effectively measure activity for all transport modes, at all spatial scales and timescales. They concluded that data from conventional and emerging sources needs to be fused to comprehensively measure mode share and mode shift.

Despite New Zealand authorities using different approaches to measure mode share, the researchers demonstrated it was feasible to report their mode-share and mode-shift data consistently. They processed mode-share data from four authorities and created an information ‘dashboard’ for the processed data. This dashboard allows users to visualise mode-share and mode-shift data and trends for the different authorities, at various spatial scales and timescales.

Based on their findings, the researchers developed a toolkit that authorities can use to harmonise their approaches to measuring and reporting on mode share and mode shift. The toolkit helps authorities decide which approach to collecting mode-share data will best suit their purpose. It also contains guidelines on specifying mode-share data requirements, and collecting, analysing and reporting on the data.

Keywords:

acoustics; aircraft; annoyance; aviation; disturbance; exposure; health; sleep; community; noise; road; rail; transport

Authors:

Han, National Transport Research Organisation

Kochhan, National Transport Research Organisation

Ainalis, National Transport Research Organisation

Sinha, National Transport Research Organisation

Kutadinata, National Transport Research Organisation