Travel demand: demographic developments

The attractions of city living are contributing to a decline in car driving amongst younger people

David Metz

04 April 2014

Car mode share in London peaked at about 50% but has since declined. Cities in developing countries could avoid such a high peak if they pursue the right policies

I concluded my previous article by observing that average demand for personal daily travel has stabilised at about a thousand trips a year covering some 7,000 miles, and taking an hour of each day. This means that the future growth of travel demand will be driven by demographic factors: population growth; where the additional inhabitants will live and work; increasing longevity; and increasing numbers of people in later life.

The Office for National Statistics projects population growth...