TREC research addresses complex transportation problems by drawing on multiple disciplines, including engineering, planning, economics and design, from across the Portland State University campus. Use the search box at right to search for a specific project.

Research Highlights

Developing a model for Transit Oriented Development in Latino Immigrant Communities: A National Study of Equity and TOD

Gerardo Sandoval
Multimodal transportation and land use decisions have important effects on vulnerable low-income communities. TOD (transit oriented development) projects can encourage livability and help these communities by providing access to public transportation, affordable housing and jobs via the transportation network (Crane and Schweitzer 2003; Cervero, R.; Ferrell, C; Murphy, S, 2002). NITC is currently funding a comparative case study of TOD projects in Latino immigrant communities in Los Angeles, CA… Read More

Exploring the positive utility of travel and mode choice

Patrick Singleton
Traditionally, travel is considered a disutility to be minimized, and travel demand is derived from activity demand. Recently, scholars have questioned these axioms, noting that some people may like to travel, use travel time productively, find other benefits in traveling, or travel for non-utilitarian reasons. These are instances of “the positive utility of travel” (PUT). In this dissertation, I conceptually and empirically investigate PUT, its determinants, and its impacts on travel behavior… Read More