Workplace Relocation of 10’000 Workers in Metropolitan Area: Following Evolution of Daily Mobility Patterns According to Mobility Perceptions and Identities

Sébastien Lord (University of Montréal)

Sustainable mobility is an important policy strategy developed in North America and Europe. However, as shown by transportation research, households face choices that may be burdened by economic and social constraints, considering that sustainable factors may be not a priority in residential preferences or travel mode choices. Daily mobility is thus central to many transportation policies. Large-scale urban projects often aim to increase modal shift towards public transit and active modes, and to facilitate both the commute and the daily routines of its workers.

Based on McGill University Health Center (MUHC) relocation in Montreal, this paper focuses on the daily commute changes for more than 10’000 workers relocated 6km outside city-center. This move touts a better overall urban accessibility and impacts on both the worker’s travel routines and quality of life. How does this workplace relocation influence travel behaviour and residential mobility decisions? Does it lead to changes in attitudes and life satisfaction of the relocated workers (especially, the transport-related and sense of place identities)?

Thanks to an internet survey conducted with the aforementioned workers (n=1977), mobility strategies has been explored for the past and new workplaces. The chosen approach is mobility biographies (Lanzendorf, 2003; Scheiner, 2007). It contributes to a better understanding of changes in travel behaviour by considering important life events. Spatial accessibility models were analyzed to gain perspective on the differentials from before and after the relocation.

While the new location is better served by public transportation, it offers a lower urban quality. The workers’ attitudes towards daily mobility and the ways they managed transition provides a more detailed explanation than standard approach of spatial-temporal rationality. Past mobility patterns and position in life cycle prove to be key-variables in understanding workers’ adaptations. These variables should be considered when formulating transportation plans.