Source: adapted from S. Hanson (1995).

Destination for Work-Related Movements in the United States

In urban areas, the spatial structure of movements can be divided in five major spatial categories:

• Inside the central city. They are generally serviced by high-density public transport such as subways, tramways and buses. These movements used to be of prime importance as most activities were in central areas, but their importance has rescinded considerably in relation to movements outside the central area.
• Towards the central area. This is the classic pendular commuting pattern and it is mostly linked to the tertiary and quaternary sectors generally located in the central area. Cars are most of the time a privileged mode, but transit is used along major corridors, particularly if the parking situation is limited. With the significant growth of economic activities outside central areas, this type of movement is less important than it used to be.
• Towards the periphery. Of less importance and linked with commuters living in central areas and having seen their jobs relocated towards the periphery.
• Lateral. With the demographic and economic development of the suburbs, this type of movement takes a growing importance. Since, suburban areas are generally of lower densities, transit systems cannot effectively service these areas. They are almost strictly the domain of the car and involve movements from the suburbs towards small to medium-sized employment centers, particularly around highways.
• Exterior. The emergence of economic activities in peri-urban areas has placed urban movements within an entirely new dimension. These movements concern extensively settled residential areas to specific employment centers loosely organized around clusters.