Jen-Jia Lin

Built Environment Effects on Children’s School Travel in Taipai: Independence and Travel Mode

This study analyses empirically how built environment affects school travel with a focus on independence from adults and travel mode. Students in three elementary schools—Chinan, Jingmei and Xinhwa—in Taipei’s Wenshan District are analysed after questionnaire surveys. The survey data are analysed using nested logit models at two decision levels. Analytical results indicate that high shade-tree density and high sidewalk coverage encourage children to walk to school independently, while large block sizes and increased intersection numbers discourage children from walking to school independently. Furthermore, although high building density, high vehicle density and diversified mode option encourage children to travel home after school by walking, bus or vanpool, block size and road width discourage children from so doing. These results are mostly similar to the findings of previous studies, although they also have some differences. Based on the empirical evidence presented in this study, three strategies are recommended for reshaping the built environment in Taipei: compact structure, pedestrian-friendly design and frequent bus services.

Does the Compact-City Paradigm Foster Sustainability? An Empirical Study in Taiwan

The compact-city paradigm has received increased attention worldwide for its ability to achieve sustainable development. However, the claim that the compact-city paradigm contributes to sustainability has not been sufficiently verified. In this study we evaluate how major concepts in the compact-city paradigm affect urban sustainability. Correspondingly, the complementary strategies for facilitating compact-city progress are recommended. Structural equation modeling was applied to ninety-two samples of medium-sized or small-sized cities in Taiwan. Latent variables and observed variables were analyzed in the models structure. According to the results a high-density pattern and intensification negatively affect the environmental and social sustainability, but positively affect economic sustainability. Furthermore, mixture of land use is beneficial to economic sustainability, and does not significantly affect environmental or social sustainability. On the basis of the empirical results, strategies that guide the compact-city paradigm toward the goals of sustainability are also proposed.

Using a genetic algorithm to generate alternative sketch maps for urban planning

This paper describes a tool that can assist the urban planners in generating alternative sketch maps. The tool known as the Sketch Layout Model (SLM) consists of a multiobjective programming and a genetic algorithm. The SLM produces a set of alternatives approximating to the Pareto optimum, on which the tasks of evaluation and detailed design are based. The paper is presented in the following sections: first, problem definitions and conceptual framework are stated; second, the model containing mathematical programming is established; third, a genetic algorithm used to generate a set of approximating nondominated solutions to the established model is described; fourth, the established model is examined by a numerical example; fifth, a case study is applied for demonstration purposes, and a comparison between the results from the developed model and those from traditional method is made; finally, the conclusions and recommendations are drawn.

Structural analysis of how urban form impacts travel demand: evidence from Taipei

This study empirically examines the connections between urban form and travel demand at the aggregate level using traffic analysis zone data from Taipei, Taiwan, for the year 2000. Nine latent variables and 26 observed variables were analysed using structural equation modelling. By clarifying the direct and indirect effects, the empirical evidence indicates that density is positively related to trip generation and negatively associated with private mode split; mixed land use reduces trip generation and indirectly increases private mode split and a pedestrian-friendly built environment significantly reduces private mode split. Empirical evidence indicates that land use density, diversity and design affect travel demand in urban areas both directly and indirectly.

Does Transit-Oriented Development Affect Metro Ridership?: Evidence from Taipei, Taiwan

A study was done to confirm the advantages of transit-oriented development (TOD) in increasing transit ridership and dispersing transit ridership distribution in a timely manner. To examine how the built environment of TOD influences the level and temporal distribution of metro ridership, 46 metro stations in Taipei City, Taiwan, China, were used as a sample, and cross-section analyses for 2004 were performed by using regression models and t-tests. Conclusions were reached on the basis of the empirical results. Daily ridership was positively affected by the floor-space area of the station areas, negatively affected by the percentage of four-way intersections, and insignificantly affected by mixed land use. Ridership dispersion in time was positively influenced by sidewalk length, negatively affected by retail and service floor-space area, and insignificantly influenced by density. The influences of density and pedestrian-friendly urban design on daily ridership differ significantly between weekdays and weekends, whereas the effects of all TOD characters on daily ridership dispersion differ significantly between weekdays and weekends. Finally, two potential applications of the empirical findings are discussed: TOD strategy directions corresponding to the studied cases and planning analysis for a specific station area.

School accessibility and academic achievement in a rural area of Taiwan

This study empirically analyzes the influence of school accessibility on student academic achievement in a rural area of Taiwan. The sample population comprised elementary and junior high-school students in Pinlin, a small village outside Taipei City, the capital of Taiwan. Data were obtained through a questionnaire survey and analyzed via linear regression and ordered logit regression for continuous grade point average and discrete letter grade, respectively. Compared with previous research, this study presents the following new findings: (1) similar to elementary-school children, travel obstacles also negatively affected learning achievement of junior high-school adolescents; (2) travel obstacles affected academic achievement more significantly for adolescents than children; and (3) travel obstacles affected letter grades more significantly than grade point averages in children. The empirical evidence indicates that travel obstacles explain the academic achievements of children and adolescents with moderate or weak significance.

Optimization of a feeder-bus route design by using a multiobjective programming approach

This paper presents a feeder-bus route design model, capable of minimizing route length, minimizing maximum route travel time of planned routes, and maximizing service coverage for trip generation. The proposed model considers constraints of route connectivity, subtour prevention, travel time upper bound of a route, relationships between route layout and service coverage, and value ranges of decision variables. Parameter uncertainties are dealt with using fuzzy numbers, and the model is developed as a multiobjective programming problem. A case study of a metro station in Taichung City, Taiwan is then conducted. Next, the programming problem in the case study is solved, based on the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution approach to obtain the compromise route design. Results of the case study confirm that the routes of the proposed model perform better than existing routes in terms of network length and service coverage. Additionally, increasing the number of feeder-bus routes decreases maximum route travel time, increases service coverage, and increases network length. To our knowledge, the proposed model is the first bus route design model in the literature to consider simultaneously various stakeholder needs and support for bus route planners in developing alternatives for further evaluation efficiently and systematically.

Strategy Development of Mixed Land Use for Restraining Trip Generation in Taipei City, Taiwan

Many urban developers recommend mixed land use to achieve urban sustainability. One primary reason is that mixed land use reduces trip generation by enhancing multipurpose and pass-by trips and contributing to development efficiency and environmental protection. This study empirically investigated the effect of mixed land use on trip generation by examining 187 traffic analysis zones in Taipei City, Taiwan. Excessive and intense mixed land use increases trip generation, whereas mixed land uses job-housing and retail-job to reduce trip generation. The retail-housing mix increases trip generation. On the basis of empirical findings, this study presents feasible strategies for both adjusting land use regulations and restraining trip generation to move Taipei City toward sustainability.

Public bike system pricing and usage in Taipei

ABSTRACT Although widely implemented, public bike systems (PBSs) are facing a conflict between system usage and sustainable financing. The relationships between PBS pricing and usage must be clarified to formulate solutions for the conflict. This research used the Taipei PBS, YouBike, as a case study. A stated preference survey was conducted on metro passengers, and a binary logit model was applied to analyze the pricing effects of PBS on passengers’ choice of using PBS as their transfer mode. A latent class model was also used to identify segment-specific preferences. The empirical data show that whether commuters used PBS as a transfer mode was highly dependent on the basic fee and basic period, but not on the variable fee after the basic period; the basic fee mattered to a commuters choice more than the basic period; irregular PBS users were more sensitive to the basic fee than regular PBS users; and regular PBS users were more sensitive to the basic period than irregular PBS users. The current results broaden the understanding of how PBS pricing affects its usage and illustrate a pricing policy analysis for YouBike that considers sustainable financing and system usage.

Influence of Accessibility on Innovation: Empirical Study of Electronics Industry in Northern Taiwan

Knowledge capital promotes innovation in production, management, and marketing; decreases costs; and increases benefits, quality, and sales growth. Increasing numbers of firms are establishing links with educational and research institutions (ERIs) to accumulate knowledge capital. Such links generate knowledge spillover: firms located near ERIs can enhance innovation through spatial knowledge externalities. Accessibility to ERIs, its effects on innovation in the electronics industry, and the role of transportation infrastructure in the development of knowledge-based economies were studied. The study samples analyzed by multiple regression models were located in northern Taiwan between 1996 and 2001. The empirical evidence supported the following conclusions: (a) improved accessibility to ERIs significantly enhanced innovation, (b) the effects of enhanced innovation were significant within a distance limitation of 20 to 30 km from ERIs, (c) accessibility to universities creates more effects than does accessibility to research institutions, and (d) the effects of ERIs on innovation in metropolitan areas were less significant than were those in nonmetropolitan areas. Empirical evidence showed that integrating the policies of industry, education, and transportation is essential for stimulating further innovation in the electronics industry.