Business Perceptions of the Effects of Traffic Access Management on Accessibility and Patronage

• Authored by:  P. Vu
• Co-authored by:  V. Shankar , G. Ulfarsson

Vu, P., V. Shankar, G. Ulfarsson, “Is Access Management Good for Business? Business Perceptions of the Effects of Traffic Access Management on Accessibility and Patronage,” Transportation Planning and Technology, Vol. 29, Issue 4 (2006)

This study assessed the perception of businesses relative to the economic impacts of access management, along with safety and congestion impacts. About 280 businesses along six major commercial corridors in Western Washington State were surveyed. The analytical framework was developed using the simultaneous logit model, which allows for the simultaneous modeling of perceptions of different performance metrics through an endogenous relationship. The study found that variables such as business type, operations, corridor and street environment, and willingness-to-pay (WTP) measures all significantly affect business patronage, from the perspective of business owners. Business perceptions of patronage in relation to access were perceived to be positively impacted for businesses with shared driveways or signalized access. Alternatively, patronage was perceived to be negatively impacted by right-in/right-out access. The study also found that the negative perception of accessibility was linked to congested traffic, and not significantly impacted by access management.