School Location and Student Travel Analysis of Factors Affecting Mode Choice

This study examines the relationship between mode of travel to school and the full range of factors that might affect mode choice. Using data from Gainesville, Florida, a statistical model was estimated to explain school mode choice for a sample of K-12 students. The travel behavior literature emphasizes the importance of distance between schools and home and the presence of sidewalks on main roads. However, as noteworthy as these factors are, they did not prove significant for school trips. Instead, the authors argue that school trips are mandatory; thus, these factors do not impact the mode choice of transportation.