Are the declines in carpooling significant?

Use of commute alternatives continues to fall according to new State of the Region report released by Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) released on January 5, 2006. SCAG reports that "Between 2000 and 2004, carpooling share of work trips dropped by almost 3 percent with corresponding increases in drive-alone commuting."

Using the data from the American Community Survey for 2004 for some select MSAs, it appears that LA isn't alone. However, only three other of the MSAs shown below had a statistically significant change (decrease) from 2003. Three MSAs appeared to show INCREASES in carpooling - Salt Lake City, San Diego and Tampa Bay MSAs - but those changes also are not statistically significant. An * indicates that the estimate is significantly different (at a 90% confidence level) than the estimate from the most current year. The bottom line is that communities should use care when examining these changes from one year to the next. Long term trends may be more revealing.



It would be interesting to compare changes in travel behavior based on the investments made in those options. But that's a topic for another post.

GMC Pad - a response to long commutes and high housing prices

Thinking out of the box or just moving it? Instead of moving the commuter to work, move the commuter AND his home to work. Autoblog reports that General Motors' GMC Pad , winner of the California Design Challenge, is an "urban loft with mobility, or a modern alternative for those priced out of Southern California’s escalating housing market.” Talk about taking your work home with you. The Pad is "where you live, where you work, or merely where you want to be. Whether located in walking distance from your job @ TBWA\Chiat\Day, spending a couple evenings along PCH, or wintering at Mammoth, with the GMC PAD, home is where you want it. And commuting is what other people do." With the PAD, your LA Adventure is your next stop. It’s where you live, where you work, or merely where you want to be. Whether located in walking distance from your job @ TBWA\Chiat\Day, spending a couple evenings along PCH, or wintering at Mammoth, with the GMC PAD, home is where you want it. And commuting is what other people do."

Looks like the solution is to throw everything AND the kitchen sink at improving the commute. "The Pad also features onboard fuel and water supplies that can last weeks or even months thanks to onboard resource management technology, and while you’re waiting for the water to run out you have Direct TV, OnStar, XM, and Satellite Wi-Fi to keep you company."

Will the Pad qualify for Household Only Vehicle lanes?