Exploring commute mode choice in dual-earner households in a small Chinese city

Most research on the impact of the built environment (BE) on travel behavior and residential self-selection (RSS) has focused at the individual rather than the household level. Using data collected in the small Chinese city of Ganyu, the present research explored how BE factors at spouses’ residential and work locations influence their joint commute mode choice, and the extent to which RSS occurs. Based on the results of nested logit modeling, we found that spouses’ travel mode choice is less related to residential BE factors and instead significantly associated with workplace accessibility. Moreover, we also found less evidence of RSS, which is related to individuals’ residential preferences and travel environment in small cities. These findings suggest that the impact of BE on travel behavior and RSS is context specific, and that policies aimed at reducing traffic volume should differentiate between small and large Chinese cities.