Intra-CBD Secondary Travel Patterns of Downtown Workers

Previous Downtown People Mover (DPM) feasibility studies have shown that the majority of the average daily DPM trips will be made by downtown workers during their travel to and from the downtown (Primary Travel) and within the downtown (Secondary Travel). An understanding of the travel patterns of downtown workers has become a prerequisite in developing alignments and in maximizing patronage of DPMs. A preliminary engineering study for the Detroit (Michigan) DPM, an alternatives analysis study for a distribution and circulation system in downtown Atlanta (Georgia) and a feasibility study for a Norfolk (Virginia) DPM form the basis for this paper. These projects were performed for the Southeastern Michigan Transportation Authority, Georgia Department of Transportation and the City of Norfolk respectively. During these studies, questionnaire surveys were conducted to understand the existing travel patterns of downtown workers and to calibrate DPM patronage forecasting models. The intra-CBD secondary travel patterns obtained from the surveys of CBD workers in these three cities are discussed.