Reducing Numbers of Vehicle Trips and Vehicle Miles of Travel Through Customized Travel Options

A new application was implemented to help reduce total vehicle trips and vehicle miles of travel (VMT) by means of encouraging use of trip chaining and substitution for all types of trips. Travel diaries were provided to employees of a local YMCA for measurement of travel behavior before and after provision of customized travel suggestions. An analysis of covariance was conducted on the average contributed VMT and contributed vehicle trips, with the use of the second period results as the dependent variable. The provision of suggestions had a statistically significant effect on vehicle miles and trips contributed. Overall, it was shown that the provision of travel information would reduce VMT. Further research should be conducted in order to indicate the extent to which such information must be customized. Further research should also be conducted on the durability and sustainability of the impacts of the information.