Impact of traffic zones on mobility behavior in Tehran, Iran
Fatemeh Salarvandian
University of Tehran
Martin Dijst
Utrecht University
Marco Helbich
Utrecht University
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5198/jtlu.2017.1087
Keywords: Travel demand management, Restricted Traffic Zone, Odd-Even Zone, Mode choice, Travel time
Abstract
The use of private cars has increased rapidly in developing countries, causing congestion and pollution in cities. In Iran, measures have been taken to manage the extensive automobile use in Tehran. Two downtown traffic zones were introduced: The Restricted Traffic Zone (RTZ) based on pass permission and the Odd-Even Zone (OEZ) based on license-plate number. This article investigates how and to what extent traffic zoning influences mobility behavior in Tehran. Two neighborhoods within these zones and one elsewhere were selected to compare the impact of traffic zoning on mode choice and travel time by means of regression analyses. The results show that zoning has decreased driving in both neighborhoods; although compared to the RTZ, the OEZ has had a limited impact. While car use has diminished in both neighborhoods compared to the area without restrictions, travel time has increased in the traffic zones. An explanation might be the low quality of the infrastructure for alternative modes (e.g., cycling). Tehran’s spatial functional specialization and the monocentric urban structure induce more car trips and longer travel times, regardless of traffic restrictions. Policymakers are advised to integrate restrictions on automobile use with improvements in public transport to enhance the impact of traffic zones.References
Amir-Ebrahimi, M. (2006). Conquering enclosed public spaces, Cities, 23(6), 455–461.
Albalate, D., & Bel, G. (2008). Shaping urban traffic patterns through congestion charging: What factors drive success or failure? Working papers, 1–27. Barcelona, Spain: University of Barcelona, Research Institute of Applied Economics.
Alenoori, H., Mirbaha, B., & Adibfar, A. (2013, July). Technical and economical comparison of using ITS technology for enforcement of plate number rationing in Tehran (Even-Odd Zone). Paper presented at the 13th World Conference on Traffic Research (WCTR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Allen, H. (2013). An integrated approach to public transport, Tehran, Iran. (Case study prepared for Global Report on Human Settlements. Retrieved from http:// www.unhabitat.org/grhs/2013
Arentze, T., Hofman, F., & Timmermans, H. (2004). Predicting multi-faceted activity-travel adjustment strategies in response to possible congestion pricing scenarios using an Internet-based stated adaptation experiment. Transport Policy, 11(1), 31–41.
Atlas Tehran. (2010). Urban facilities and transportation chapters, in Tehran statistics. Retrieved from http://www.atlas.tehran.ir
Ben-Akiva, M. E. and Lerman, S. R. (1985). Discrete choice analysis: Theory and application to travel demand. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Broaddus, A., Litman, T., & Menon, G. (2009). Transportation demand management training document. Bonn, Germany: Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Christiansen, P., Engebretsen, Ø., Fearnley, N., & Usterud, H. J. (2017). Parking facilities and the built environment: Impacts on travel behavior. Transportation Research Part A, 95, 198–206.
Dargay, J., Gately, D., & Sommer., M. (2007). Vehicle ownership and income growth, worldwide: 1960-2030. Energy Journal 28(4), 143–170.
Dissanayake, D., & Morikawa, T. (2002). Household travel behavior in developing countries nested logit model of vehicle ownership, mode choice, and trip chaining. Transportation Research Record, 1805, 45–52.
Feng, J., Dijst, M., Wissink, B., & Prillwitz, J. (2013a). The impacts of household structure on the travel behavior of seniors and young parents in China. Transport Geography, 30, 117–126.
Feng, J., Dijst, M., Prillwitz, J., & Wissink, B. (2013b). Travel time and distance in international perspective: A comparison between Nanjing (China) and the Randstad (the Netherlands). Urban Studies, 50(14), 1–18.
Fishman, E., Böcker, L., & Helbich, M. (2015). Adult active transport in the Netherlands: An analysis of its contribution to physical activity requirements. PLOS One, 10(4): e0121871.
Giuliano, G., & Narayan, D. (2003). Another look at travel patterns and urban form: The US and Great Britain. Journal of Urban Studies, 40(11), 2295–2312.
Greene, W. H. (2011). Econometric Analysis, seventh edition. London, England: Pearson Education.
Goodwin, P. (2004). Solving congestion. In F. Terry (Ed.), Turning the corner: A reader in contemporary transport policy (pp. 1–19). Hoboken, NJ: Blackwell Publishers.
ICT Organization of Tehran Municipality. (2014). Geographic and demographic statistics of Tehran’s neighborhoods. Tehran, Iran: ICT Organization of Tehran Municipality.
International Energy Agency. (2010). World energy outlook, part E, focus on energy subsidies, country subsidy profiles. Retrieved from http//iea.org/media/weo2010.pdf
Leape, J. (2006). The London congestion charge. Economic Perspectives, 20(4), 157–176.
Lee, B. S., & McDonald, J. F. (2003). Determinants of commuting time and distance for Seoul residents: The impact of family status on the commuting of women. Urban Studies, 40(7), 1283–1302.
Liguang, F., Haozhi, Z., Yulin, J., & Zhaorong, W. (2010, March). Evaluation on the effect of car use restriction measures in Beijing. Paper presented at the 51st Annual Transportation Research Forum, Arlington, VA.
Litman, T. (2011). London congestion pricing implications for other cities. Victoria Transport Policy Institute. Retrieved from http://www.vtpi.org/london.pdf
Loukopoulos, P. (2005). Future urban sustainable mobility: Implementing and understanding the impacts of policies designed to reduce private automobile usage (doctoral thesis). Department of Psychology, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden.
McDonald, J. F., & Moffitt, R. A. (1980). The uses of Tobit analysis. Review of Economics and Statistics, 62(2), 318–321.
Mahendra, A. (2008). Vehicle restriction in four Latin American cities: Is congestion pricing possible? Transport Reviews, 28(1), 105–133.
Moeini, S. M. (2012). Attitudes to urban walking in Tehran. Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design, 39(2), 344–359.
Mortazavia, S., Pedhiwalab, N., Shafiroc, M., & Hammer, L. (2009). Work–family conflict related to culture and gender. Community, Work & Family, 12(2), 251–273.
O’Fallon, C., Sullivan, C., & Hensher, D.A. (2004). Constraints affecting mode choices by morning car commuter, Transport Policy, 11(1), 17–29.
Padayhag, G., & Bahoy, L. (2013). How travel pattern changes after number coding scheme as a travel demand management measure was implemented? Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies, 10, 412–426.
Pan, H., Shen, Q., & Zhang, M. (2009). Influence of urban form on travel behavior in four neighborhoods of Shanghai. Urban Studies, 46(2), 275–294.
Perea y Monsuwe, T., Dellaert, B. G. C., & de Ruyter, J. C. (2004). What drives consumers to shop online? A literature review. International Journal of Service Industry Management, 15(1), 102–121. doi: 10.1108/09564230410523358
Shams, M., & Rahimi-Movaghar, V. (2008). Risky driving behaviors in Tehran. Iran Traffic Injury Prevention, 10(1), 91–94.
Schwanen, T., Dijst, M., & Dieleman, F.M. (2002). A microlevel analysis of residential context and travel time. Environment and Planning A, 34, 1487–1507.
Schwanen, T., Dieleman, F. M., & Dijst. M. (2001). Travel behavior in Dutch monocentric and policentric urban systems. Transport Geography, 9, 173–186.
Schwanen, T., & Dijst, M. (2002). Travel-time ratios for visits to the workplace: The relationship between commuting time and work duration. Transportation Research A, 36, 573–592.
Shoar, K. (2008, January). The urban transport challenge—recent innovative policies and measure in Tehran. Paper presented at the International Seminar on Urban Transport in the Mediterranean Region, Skhirat, Morocco.
Strompen, F., Litman, T., & Bongardt, D. (2012). Reducing carbon emissions through transport demand management strategies: A review of international examples. Final report. Beijing, China: GIZ, Beijing Transport Research Center.
Susilo, Y., Joewono, T., & Santosa, W. (2010). An exploration of public transport users’ attitudes and preferences towards various policies in Indonesia: Some preliminary results. Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies, 8, 1230–1244.
Tarahan Parseh Transportation Research Institute. (2011). Effect of mechanization control of area of odd- even zone, volume 4. Tehran, Iran: Tarahan Parseh Transportation Research Institute.
Tehran Comprehensive Transportation and Traffic Studies. (2013). Tehran statistics, chapter 1, Tehran, Iran: Tehran Transportation and Traffic Organization.
Tehran Master Plan. (2006). Tehran strategic-structural plan (original document), pp 1–54. Tehran, Iran: Deputy of Architecture and Urban Planning.
The World Bank (2014). Economy-and-growth. Retrieved from https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG?view=chart
The World Bank. (2013). Opening doors gender equality and development in the Middle East and North Africa. Retrieved from http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/338381468279877854/pdf/751810PUB0EPI002060130Opening0doors.pdf
Van Eck. J. R., Burghouwt, G., Dijst, M. (2005) Lifestyles, spatial configurations and quality of life in daily travel: An explorative simulation study. Journal of Transport Geography 13(2), 123–134.
Viard, V.B., & Fu., S. (2013). The effect of Beijing’s driving restrictions on pollution and economic activity. Public Economics, 125, 98–115.
VTPI. (2004). Online TDM Encyclopedia, Victoria Transport Policy Institute. Retrieved from http//www.vtpi.org
Wang, D., & Chai, Y. (2009). The jobs–housing relationship and commuting in Beijing, China: The legacy of Danwei. Transport Geography, 17(1), 30–38.
Wang, L., Xu, J., Zheng, X., & Qin, P. (2013). Will a driving restriction policy reduce car trips? A case study of Beijing, China. Environment for Development Discussion Paper Series. Retrieved from http://www.rff.org/files/sharepoint/WorkImages/Download/EfD-DP-13-11.pdf
World Health Organization (WHO). (2014). Air pollution. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/phe/Health_Topics/Outdoorair/Database ambient (outdoor) air pollution by country and city
