Transport policy directions based on travel pattern analysis in the seoul metropolitan area

In the objective of this study is to analyze the travel patterns based on social changes between 1996 and 2002, and then to propose main directions in transport policies in the Seoul Metropolitan Area (SMA). This study examines the general travel pattern changes in the SMA and compares the travel patterns of regions invested in road construction (road-invested areas) with those of regions invested in transit (transit-invested areas). Study results show that while road investment had little effect on reducing congestion, the number of cars decreased in transit-invested areas due to the modal shift to transit modes. This study suggests that transit-oriented policies should be utilized as a solution to overcome severe traffic congestion.