Food Superstores, Food Deserts and Traffic Generation in the UK: A Semi-Parametric Regression Approach

Colin Black, David C. Broadstock, Alan Collins and Lester Charles Hunt ()
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Colin Black: JMP Consultants Ltd., London

No 112, Surrey Energy Economics Centre (SEEC), Department of Economics Discussion Papers (SEEDS) from Surrey Energy Economics Centre (SEEC), Department of Economics, University of Surrey

Abstract: This study contributes another route towards explaining and tackling ‘food desert’ effects. It features the estimation of a (semi-parametric) trip attraction model for food superstores in the UK using a composite dataset. The data comprises information from the UK Census of Population, the NOMIS (National Online Manpower Information System) archive and traffic and site-specific data from the TRICS (Trip Rate Information Computer System) databases. The results indicate that traffic to a given food superstore, ceteris paribus, increases with household car ownership, store parking provision, site size (floor space), and distance to the nearest competitor. Furthermore, increases in public transport provision are shown to be associated with increasing car trips. This latter effect is discussed in the light of planning policy for development control purposes and a role linked to the reinforcement of ‘food deserts’. The results also reveal activity-specific household economies of scope and scale. It is suggested how these may also further perpetuate unsustainable development and ‘food desert’ characteristics.

Keywords: Traffic Generation; Food Superstores; Food Deserts; Activity Based Travel; Sustainable Development; Modelling (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C31 R12 R41 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: Written 2006-03
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Published in the International Journal of Transport Economics, XXXIV(3), October 2007, pp. 403-427 (Revised Version with different title).

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