TOD effects on travel behavior: A synthesis of evidence from cross-sectional and longitudinal studies

Abstract

The impacts of transit-oriented development (TOD) on travel behavior have been extensively studied, with a predominant focus on cross-sectional analyses that provide a static evaluation at a specific point in time by comparing TODs and non-TODs. Longitudinal assessments that capture changes in behavior over time remain relatively uncommon, and the literature tends to overlook differences in evaluating TOD effects across cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. Additionally, the role of trip purpose as a significant but unexplored variable influencing the degree of TOD effects is often disregarded. To address these gaps, this systematic review examines 48 quantitative studies, comparing the effects of TOD on travel behavior from cross-sectional and longitudinal perspectives, restructuring indicators of effects into transit use, non-motorized travel, vehicle dependence, and vehicle ownership, and differentiating the effects by trip purpose. A metric has been introduced to quantitatively assess the impact of TOD on travel behavior. The pooled results indicate that private vehicle usage remains high in TOD areas, particularly for non-commuting trips, and that the longitudinal effects of TOD are limited and potentially influenced by individual travel attitudes, residential self-selection, and long-term travel habit change. Furthermore, the methodological differences between cross-sectional and longitudinal studies may lead to divergent conclusions regarding the effects of TOD on travel behavior. Our analysis sheds light on the importance of carefully selecting an appropriate method for a given research question to maximize the accuracy and relevance of the findings. Combining TOD and shared mobility can create a more efficient multi-model transport network that meets the diverse needs of city residents and improves accessibility for all. Overall, this review provides new insights into the impacts of TOD on travel behavior and supports the potential for a paradigm shift toward multimodal transport through the integration of TOD and shared mobility.