This paper explores how gasoline prices and the commuting behavior of US commuters are related, with a focus on the use of private motor vehicles, public transit, walking, and cycling. Basic economic theory suggests that as gasoline prices rise, there tends to be a decrease in the consumption of gasoline due to the substitution and income effect, leading to a reduced use of private motor vehicles by commuters who may opt for relatively cheaper modes of transportation for their daily commutes. Using data from the American Time Use Survey spanning from 2003 to 2019, coupled with state- and year-specific gasoline prices, the study reveals a positive relationship between gasoline prices and daily commuting time. Furthermore, gasoline prices are also associated with the choice of commuting modes. Higher gasoline prices are negatively related to the proportion of commuting time using private motor vehicles and positively related to the proportion of commuting time using public transit, walking, and cycling. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that the association between gasoline prices and the proportion of commuting time using public transit and walking varies depending on the rural status of commuters. The results of this paper can be used to formulate pricing policies in order to change the daily travel choices of commuters, mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, and develop a less fuel-dependent transport sector in the US.

中文翻译：

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汽油价格与美国通勤者的通勤行为：探索绿色出行方式选择的变化


本文探讨了汽油价格与美国通勤者的通勤行为之间的关系，重点关注私人机动车辆、公共交通、步行和骑自行车的使用。基本经济理论表明，随着汽油价格上涨，由于替代和收入效应，汽油消耗往往会减少，导致通勤者减少使用私人机动车辆，他们可能会选择相对便宜的交通方式他们的日常通勤。该研究利用 2003 年至 2019 年美国时间使用调查的数据，结合各州和特定年份的汽油价格，揭示了汽油价格与每日通勤时间之间的正相关关系。此外，汽油价格还与通勤方式的选择有关。较高的汽油价格与使用私人机动车辆的通勤时间比例呈负相关，与使用公共交通、步行和骑自行车的通勤时间比例正相关。异质性分析表明，汽油价格与使用公共交通和步行的通勤时间比例之间的关联因通勤者的农村状况而异。本文的结果可用于制定定价政策，以改变通勤者的日常出行选择，减少温室气体排放，并在美国发展对燃料依赖较少的交通部门。