Exploring the Association of the Built Environment, Accessibility and Commuting Frequency with the Travel Times of High-Speed Rail Commuters: Evidence from China

This paper explores door-to-door commuting patterns and the way commuting time is associated with three factors: the built environment, transport mode (from residence and workplace to HSR stations), and commute frequency. Econometric and statistical analyses are employed to examine evidence from China that draws on a survey targeting Suzhou-based HSR commuters who travel to work in Shanghai. The findings present three major points. First, a dense urban environment around residence and workplace is associated with reduced commuting time to high-density healthcare facilities (Suzhou and Shanghai) and financial institutions (Shanghai only). However, the density of public transport facilities near both residence and workplace has no association with commuting time. Second, taking the metro to and from HSR stations shows significant association with increased commuting time for the first and last miles, while walking from HSR stations to the workplace shows significant reduction of commuting time. Third, daily commuting is associated with reduced commuting time in the first mile, while weekly commuting is reversely related to longer commuting time in the last mile, which is coupled with a shorter commuting time for the first mile than the last mile. These findings lead us to conclude that reducing the total commuting time for a door-to-door journey is a key factor in associated commuting patterns, commuting frequency, and travel mode choice. This reflects the choices commuters make in relation to where they live rather than where they work, which offers fewer options. A longer last mile relates to a weekly commuting pattern rather than a daily commuting. The current public metro systems in both home and work cities appear to be lengthy and inefficient. Transitoriented and integrated development is required to provide more efficient experiences for commuters.