Human-Centric Mobility: Exploring Non-Work Travel Patterns in D.C.

Abstract

Public transportation in the U.S. has been designed to serve worker travel patterns. However, only 18% of urban mobility trips are for the purpose of work. Further, post-pandemic, the proportion of trips taken for the purpose of work is decreasing. In order to boost ridership and more equitably serve their communities, public transportation agencies need to consider non-work travel patterns. Using mobile phone data and tap-in/tap-out public transportation data from D.C., this thesis explores the convenience disparities and changes in demand for non-work travel patterns on public transportation. We found that approximately 10% more trips are for the purpose of travelling from the home to a non-work destination post-pandemic compared to pre-pandemic. We found there is a significant convenience burden for non-work trips on public transportation. Non-work trips take 85% longer in travel time and are 55% slower in travel speed than work trips. This project is in collaboration with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).