Juggling commutes and cribs: Insights into commuting efficiency in young dual-earner families

• Published in: Cities 2025-03, Vol.158, Article 105641
• Main Authors: Liu, Yang, Yang, Wei, Shi, Zhuangbin, He, Mingwei, Liu, Qiyang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activity allocation; Commuting efficiency; Dual-earner family; Intra-household constraints; Semi-parametric geographically weighted regression model; Young adults of childbearing age
• ISSN: 0264-2751
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cities.2024.105641

In China, young dual-earner families of childbearing age, responsible for most household activities, are central to the study of commuting efficiency. This demographic's shift towards car use due to long commuting demands poses a challenge to sustainable urban development. However, previous studies often overlook the role of household activities and spatial variations in commuting patterns. Using data from Guiyang's 2021 Household Travel Survey, this study employs a semi-parametric geographically weighted regression model (S-GWR) to analyse the spatial heterogeneity of commuting determinants, including household attributes, travel behaviours, and the built environment. Our findings reveal that integrating household activities into the measurement of commuting efficiency not only enhances it but also exposes notable spatial disparities in the effects of various determinants, especially across different family structures. The study offers region-specific interventions, suggesting a targeted approach in urban planning to bolster commuting efficiency for young adults, thus supporting more sustainable transport solutions. •Focus on young childbearing-age families (YFCA), both with and without children•Propose a method to measure commuting efficiency for YFCA•The method accounts for the intra-household interactions within YFCA.•Investigate the impact of spatial heterogeneity on YFCA's commuting efficiency•Recommend adaptive policies to improve the commuting environment for YFCA