Car-free by choice or Carless by economic constraint? Evidence of Changing Characteristics in 20 Major US Cities

As people living in cities in the US forgo buying a car, choosing instead to utilize other modes for trips, planners should ensure equitable access for these households to reach amenities, jobs, and services without a car. Further research into both long-term indicators of travel behavior like car ownership and shorter-term factors like mode choice for work and nonwork trips should be studied to understand the needs and choices of car-free households living in different built environments. Finally, we can mitigate future consequences of further CO2 emissions by designing cities that prioritize walking, bicycling, and transit, over automobiles, as these alternative modes are crucial in improving the built environment, health, relieving congestion, reducing parking needs, and more.Ope