Transportation Equity in China: Does Commuting Time Matter?

Xiaoyun Li, Hongsheng Chen, Yu Shi and Feng Shi
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Xiaoyun Li: College of City Construction, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China
Hongsheng Chen: School of Architecture, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
Yu Shi: School of Architecture, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
Feng Shi: School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao 266033, China

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 21, 1-17

Abstract: Urban commuting, a facet of transportation equity, is an important factor that shapes social equity. Little is known about how commuting practices shape individuals’ perceptions of social equity. To fill this gap, we conducted a multilevel regression using data from the China Labour-force Dynamics Survey 2016. We found that commuters who used private cars had the highest level of perceived social equity, while those who used bicycles had the lowest. Commuting time had a significant negative effect on respondents’ perceived social equity. This study verifies the “commuting paradox” to some extent, as income had no moderating effect on the relationship between commuting time and perceived social equity, which suggests that the social inequity caused by long commutes is not alleviated by higher wages. We also found that the perceived social equity of respondents who commuted on foot or by motorcycle was significantly negatively affected by commuting time. Based on our findings, we propose four ways to alleviate social inequity caused by commuting inequities: consider the commuting time sensitivity of different types of commuters, pay attention to the social equity issues caused by different transportation modes, provide more equitable commuting ways for low-income people, and prioritise public transportation.

Keywords: commuting time; social equity; transportation equity; China; commuting paradox (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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