Immigrants and Transportation: An Analysis of Immigrant Workers' Work Trips

Sungyop Kim

As with the articles in this issue, this introduction reflects the views of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

A significant increase in immigrant populations in the United States poses various social and economic issues. Transportation mobility is one of the most crucial components for facilitating economic activities of new immigrants. Using the 2006 Integrated Public Use Microdata Series, this study analyzed the work-trip mode of new immigrants in comparison with nonimmigrants. This study found that workers’ immigration history is associated with their work-trip modes and immigrants are still more likely to use nondrive-alone trip modes after controlling for various personal, household, and other characteristics. Female immigrants, however, are less likely to use public transit after adjusting various covariates, including household income and vehicle availability. Also, a lower propensity toward carpooling among highly educated immigrants is noteworthy. The notable increase in immigrant populations requires special efforts to support carpooling or community-based transit service and requires more attention in both research and practice.