The effects of traffic congestion on travel behavior are complex and multidimensional because they are related to various factors such as density, land use patterns, network connectivity, and individual preferences. Traffic congestion is a phenomenon that not only affects transportation systems but also influences commuters’ quality of life and population mobility. The present research aims to analyze the effects of traffic congestion on individuals’ travel behaviors, addressing both direct and indirect effects of congestion on vehicle miles traveled (VMT) per driver by implementing structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques. In addition to the causal analysis between traffic congestion and VMT, this study examined the complex relationship between an individual’s socioeconomic characteristics, the built environment, congestion, and VMT. Measuring local congestion at a national level is also a key contribution of this research. This study used the same methodology as the Texas A&M Transportation Institute to compute a road congestion index and quantify local congestion for 93,769 drivers within 337 metropolitan areas. Our findings suggest that congestion is the main driver of VMT reduction. The findings also confirm that residents in compact development regions have lower daily VMTs because of the proximity of origins and destinations in denser areas with higher job–population balances. Therefore, rather than expanding highway networks, public transit investment might address traffic congestion more efficiently—not only by providing residents with more equitable and sustainable means of transportation, but also by encouraging people to reside in more compact and location-efficient areas.
The use of a ceramic membrane is not only a new and modern technique, but reduce the use of chemicals and coagulants as well, and also having high mechanical and chemical resistance reduces costs over consecutive years. The aim of this research was to remove turbidity and biological agents such as Diatoms, Chlorophyte, Cyanophyceae, Protozoa, and Nematodes by using of ceramic membranes. A ceramic pilot plant was designed and constructed. Titanium oxide (TiO2) and aluminum oxide (Al2O3) ultrafiltration membrane with the length, diameter and pore sizes of 25 cm, 2.7 cm, and 50 nm was used. The inlet flow was the effluent resulted from the backwashing of a sand filter. This data showed that the possibility of removing of this agent was high by comparing the size of the agents and ceramic membrane pore size. Therefore, the construction of a pilot plant of ceramic membranes with 50 nm pore size and dimension (H = 1.5 m, Y = 20 cm, X = 50 cm) was offered a constant flow filtration, and sampling was performed at different times. The results showed that all biological agents except diatoms have a removal efficiency of 100% and the effluent׳s turbidity was 0.1 NTU.
Empirical research on the impact of congestion on travel behavior remains limited. This study fills this gap using a comprehensive analytical framework, an improved time-related travel delay measure, structure equation modeling, and the disaggregated household survey data for the Puget Sound Region. The results indicate that travel time delay is associated with fewer household vehicles, fewer vehicle trips, and lower vehicle miles traveled. The findings confirm the intricate impacts of the travel time delay, reinforce the importance of the “D” factors in travel behavior, and point to the need for comprehensive solutions to travel demand management.
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