This paper analyzes the differences in travel behavior and location characteristics across different income groups in two cities in very different parts of the world – Chile and China. Using recent household travel surveys, we compare vehicle ownership rates, mode choices, trip rates and purposes, and travel times and distances according to high, middle, and low income terciles in Chengdu and Santiago. We also compare household location characteristics and present different measures of accessibility. The results suggest commonalities and differences and build a foundation upon which future, more detailed analytical models can be developed and more rigorous and comparable accessibility measures might be derived.

URL: http://web.mit.edu/czegras/www/Zegras_Srinivasan_TRB07.pdf