Citation

Thompson LA, Madden CH. Highw. Res. Board bull. 1953; 67: 15-21.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1953, National Research Council (U.S.A.), Highway Research Board)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper is a progress report upon a study sponsored jointly by the Bureau of Public Roads, the Virginia Department of Highways, and the University of Virginia of the effects of a new manufacturing plant upon the economic pattern of a rural county of declining population and low income, and upon the pattern of employment, income, occupation, motor vehicle ownership, and travel habits of the residents. A comparison of selected socio-economic characteristics with travel habits in two counties shows that (1) the amount of travel of a family varies proportionally with the size of the income, (2) travel varies directly with the socio-economic level, (3) there is little consistency between the age composition of the family and the amount of travel, however, each county seems to have its own pattern in this respect, (4) the amount of travel tends to be inversely proportional to the age or the vehicle, (5) livestock and poultry farmers travel more than general of subsistence farmers, (6) among the total population of each county, clerical, professional and government workers travel most and subsistence farmers travel least. In charlotte county there has been a diversification of farming since the plant started its operation. The relative income level has increased and this has been reflected in an increased volume of trade. Some of the workers have changed their residences since 1949. The change of residence, however, does not indicate any tendency for the workers necessarily to move any closer to the plant. Their movements thus far have been on to hard surfaced roads, even if such a move means increasing the distance of their residence from the plant.