Population Changes, Weather, and Congestion: Exploring Declines in Use of Chicago’s Elevated Trail

Authors

  • Greg Lindsey Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs University of Minnesota
  • Yunlei Qi Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota
  • Paul Gobster USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station
  • Sonya Sachdeva USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18666/JPRA-2019-10063

Keywords:

Trail, use, demand, monitoring, weather

Abstract

This research note examines possible explanations for declines in use of Chicago’s 606 Trail between 2016, its first complete year of operation, and 2018. Hypotheses include population changes near the trail, adverse weather in 2017-2018, and congestion effects. To evaluate these hypotheses, respectively, we use Census data, traffic counts, weather data, and regression modeling; and level-of-service (LOS) grades for peak use periods. We show that population changes were unlikely to have contributed to the use reductions and that, after controlling for weather effects, daily use still was significantly lower in 2017-2018 relative to 2016. Although LOS grades of “F” characterize much of weekend daytime use in summers, use reductions also occurred during periods with better LOS. None of the hypotheses fully explains the use declines. Field surveys are needed to explore additional, potential explanations including changes in preferences and perceptions of residents in gentrifying neighborhoods and the loss of a novelty effect. 

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Author Biographies

Greg Lindsey, Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs University of Minnesota

Greg Lindsey is a Professor of public affairs and urban planning at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota.

Yunlei Qi, Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota

Yunlei Qi is a Ph.D. candidate in urban planning at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota.

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Published

2019-12-11

Issue

Vol. 38 No. 1 (2020): Special Issue–Marketing Leisure with Diverse Populations

Section

Research Notes

License

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