Source: adapted from Schafer, A. (2000) Regularities in Travel Demand: An International Perspective, Journal of Transport Statistics, Vol. 3, No. 3.

Modal Split in the United States by Passenger Travel Distance, 1995

Distance remains a significant factor in passengers modal choice. The above figure underlines two threshold. The first being the 30 minutes walking threshold, representing about 2-3 kilometers beyond which the average person is unwilling to walk. However, in a motorized society such as the United States, the automobile plays a significant role for short distances. This has a lot to do with the physical setting which tends not to be favoring walking. The second is the 1 day driving threshold, at about 700-800 kilometers. Beyond this point, air transportation clearly dominates and becomes the only possible mode at distances of more than 8,000 kilometers.

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