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Chapter Four Understanding the current geographic pattern of long distance commuting

Introduction

4.1. This chapter aims to analyse and understand the current geographic pattern of long distance commuting in Scotland. This analysis is predominantly based on the 2001 Census travel to work data, supplemented by robust estimates of the relevant road network travel distances between the various data zone pairs. The chapter covers:

• contribution of long distance commuting to the Scottish transport network
• distribution of long distance in-commuting and out-commuting by Regional Transport Partnerships, Local Authority and data zone areas
• analysis of long distance commuting by the Scottish Executive's standard six way rural/remoteness classification
• analysis of the distributions of long distance in-commuting and out-commuting, by main mode (car, bus, rail and total) by Local Authority area

Proportion of long distance commuting trips to all trips on the Scottish transport network

4.2. The SHS travel diary (1999 to 2004) was used to estimate the proportion of all AM Peak and PM Peak long distance commuter trips.

4.3. AM Peak Period data was selected if it met the following criteria:

• between Monday and Friday
• the journey time 'midpoint' was between 07:00 and 10:00. The 'midpoint' time was halfway between the journeys' start time and end time. For example, a journey starting at 7:00 and finishing at 7:30 would have a 'midpoint' of 7:15

4.4. In the AM Peak period (0700 to 10:00), 53% of all trips on the Scottish transport network involve commuting trips. Furthermore, 13% of all AM trips in Scotland involve long distance commuters (greater than 15km). Figure 4.1 details the proportion of trips by journey purpose for the AM Peak period.

4.5. The PM Peak period data was selected if it met the following criteria:

• between Monday and Friday
• the journey time 'midpoint' was between 16:00 and 19:00

4.6. In the PM Peak period (16:00 to 19:00), 34% of all trips on the Scottish transport network are commuting trips. Furthermore, 8% of all PM Peak trips in Scotland involve long distance commuters (greater than 15km). Figure 4.2 details the proportion of trips by journey purpose for the PM Peak period.

4.7. As might be expected, there are differences within geographic locations. For example, the highest percentages of AM Peak period, long distance commuting are found in Aberdeenshire (21%), West Lothian (21%) and East Lothian (19%). While the lowest proportion of AM long distance commutes are found in Aberdeen (3%), Dundee (5%), Edinburgh (6%), and Glasgow (6%). Figure 4.3 details the percentage long distance commuting in the AM Peak by Local Authority area.

Distance travelled

4.8. The average commuting trip length per person in Scotland was 12km (Census 2001 N=2,093,850). This is slightly higher than the NTS (2002) estimate for the whole of Great Britain which was 11km.

4.9. 50% of all trips between work and home were less than 5km, 27% were between 5 and 15km and the remaining 23% were greater than 15km. Table 4.1 details the proportion of commuters within each distance band. Figure 4.4 provides further details of trips less than 50km.

Table 4.1: Census 2001: Commuting distance (less than 50km) Scottish residents in employment (age 16 to 74)

Geographic distribution of long distance commuters

4.10. This section considers the distribution of in-commuters and out-commuters for the following three Scottish geographic groupings:

• Regional Transport Partnerships
• Local Authorities
• Data zones

Distribution of long distance commuters: Regional Transport Partnerships

4.11. This section considers the percentages of long distance commuters travelling between and within Regional Transport Partnerships. Table 4.2 should be read from left to right. The rows on the left show the Regional Transport Partnerships for long distance commuters place of residence, whilst the columns along the top show the Regional Transport Partnership of place of work. The Regional Transport Partnerships are relatively 'self contained'. The majority (83%) of long distance commuting trips are 'internal' ( i.e. the location of home and work are within the same RTP).

4.12. The Regional Transport Partnership names used throughout this report are the ones applicable at the time the tables and charts were prepared. It should be noted that 2 of the RTPs have changed their names recently ('Central and Tay' is now 'Tayside and Central' and 'West' is now 'Strathclyde Partnership for Transport'.

Table 4.2: Percentage of long distance commuting by Regional Transport Partnerships (Census 2001)

Distribution of long distance commuters by Local Authority

4.13. This section considers the distribution of long distance in-commuting and out-commuting by Local Authority area. Further consideration is also given to identifying areas that generate and attract more than their employment's share of long distance trips.

4.14. The absolute numbers of long distance out-commuters within each Local Authority are shown on Figure 4.5. These are important when considering the extent of the long distance commuting problem. The highest number of long distance commuting trips originate from Aberdeenshire (N=43,848), Fife (N=41,554) and North Lanarkshire (N=40,187). In contrast, Orkney Islands (N=1,849), Eilean Siar (N=2,280) and Shetland Islands (N=2,531) generate the lowest absolute numbers of long distance commuting.

4.15. The absolute numbers of long distance in-commuters within each Local Authority are detailed in Figure 4.6. The largest number of long distance in-commuters travel to the main Scottish cities of Glasgow (N=73,505), Edinburgh (N=63,762) and Aberdeen (N=42,084). In contrast, Orkney Islands (N=1,831), Eilean Siar (N= (2,241), and Clackmannanshire (N= (2491), attract the lowest absolute numbers of long distance 'in-commuting'.

4.16. The ratio of percentage of long distance commuters to percentage of all employed, for a Local Authority area, provides an indication of higher than average rates of long distance commuting. This 'long distance ratio' is provided by Local Authority for in-commuters in Table 4.3 and out-commuters in Table 4.4. The results are displayed in map form on Figure 4.7 and Figure 4.8.

Table 4.3: Share of long distance out-commuting by Local Authority

Table 4.4 Share of long distance in-commuting by Local Authority

4.17. Aberdeenshire (1.72), East Ayrshire (1.52) and East Lothian (1.5) produce relatively high levels of long distance out-commuting. In contrast, Aberdeen City (0.25), Dundee City (0.36), Edinburgh (0.40) and Glasgow (0.43) produce relatively low levels.

4.18. West Lothian (1.33), Aberdeen City (1.29), South Ayrshire (1.19) and Stirling (1.15) attract relatively high levels of long distance in-commuting. In contrast, East Renfrewshire (0.66) and Midlothian (0.66) attract relatively low levels.

Distribution of long distance commuting by data zones

4.19. Analysis of the distribution of long distance commuters in the 2001 Census data was considered by data zone.

4.20. Analysis at data zone level was initially undertaken by considering the following:

• absolute numbers of long distance in-commuters and long distance out-commuters based on a 15km threshold
• percentages of long distance in-commuters and percentages of long distance out-commuters based on a 15, 20, 25 and 30km threshold
• residential and employment data zones

Absolute numbers of long distance in-commuters and out-commuters

4.21. Initial consideration of long distance commuting involved analysis of absolute numbers by data zone level. The absolute numbers of long distance 'out-commuters' travelling from each data zone are illustrated on Figure 4.9. Figure 4.10 shows the number of long distance out-commuters within central Scotland.

4.22. The absolute numbers of long distance in-commuters travelling to each data zone are shown on Figure 4.11. Figure 4.12 illustrates the 'attraction' of long distance trips to central Scotland.

Proportion of long distance in-commuters and proportions of long distance out-commuters

4.23. The percentages of long distance out-commuters produced from each data zone are detailed in Figures 4.13 to 4.16. The figures further illustrate the decrease in proportion of long distance out-commuters as the distance threshold increases from 15km to 30km. The percentage of out-commuters is the percentage of working people commuting out from their data zone area of residence divided by the total number of employed people living in the data zone.

4.24. The percentages of long distance in-commuters attracted to each data zone are detailed in Figures 4.17 to 4.20. The figures further illustrate the decrease in proportion of long distance in-commuters as the distance threshold increases from 15km to 30km. The percentage of in-commuters is the percentage of working people commuting into a data zone divided by the total number of working in the data zone.

Residential and employment data zones

4.25. Figure 4.21 and Figure 4.22 illustrate the difference between the absolute numbers of employed people living in a data zone and the number working in a data zone. As may be expected, cities such as Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen could be described as 'employment centres', while much of the city outskirts could be described as 'residential areas' (coloured green on Figure 4.21 and Figure 4.22).

4.26.

Analysis of long distance commuting by the standard 6-way rural/remoteness classification

4.27. Consideration was given to the levels of long distance commuting to/from remote and urban areas. The standard six-way Scottish Executive urban rural classification distinguishes between urban, rural and remote areas within Scotland and includes the following categories:

• Large Urban Areas - Settlements of over 124,999 people
• Other Urban Areas - Settlements of 10,000 to 124,999 people
• Accessible Small Towns - Settlements of between 3,000 and 9,999 people and within 30 minutes drive of a settlement of 10,000 or more
• Remote Small Towns - Settlements of between 3,000 and 9,999 people and with a drive time of over 30 minutes to a settlement of 9,999 or more
• Accessible Rural - Settlements of less than 3,000 people and within 30 minutes drive of a settlement of 9,999 or more
• Remote Rural - Settlements of less than 3,000 people and with a drive time of over 30 minutes to a settlement of 9,999 or more

4.28. Table 4.5 details proportions and associated ratios of long distance out-commuters by Scottish Executives 6-Fold Urban Rural Classification. The ratio of percentage of long distance out-commuters to percentage of all employed, for each urban/rural category, provides an indication of higher than expected rate of long distance commuting.

Table 4.5: Long distance out-commuters: 6-Fold urban rural classification

4.29. 'Large urban areas' (19%) and 'Other urban areas' (33%) generate the largest proportion of long distance commuting. 'Accessible rural settlements' generate 50% ( LD/A ratio = 1.5) more long distance trips than would be expected, given the working population. Similarly, 'accessible small towns' generate 47% more trips than might be expected.

4.30. Table 4.6 shows the percentages and associated ratios for long distance in-commuters by the Scottish Executives 6-Fold urban rural classification.

Table 4.6: Long distance in-commuters by urban rural classification

4.31. 'Large urban areas' (44%) and 'other urban areas' (27%) attract the majority of long distance commuters. 'Accessible rural areas' attract 21% ( LD/A = 1.21) more long distance commutes than would be expected given their working population.

4.32. However, it should be noted that the nature of the location of the employment has much less impact on the proportion of long distance commuting than the corresponding location of the worker's home (out-commuting ratios ranged from 1.50 to 0.51, compared to the in-commuting range of 1.21 to 0.87). This implies that it is probably not worth endeavouring to influence the balance of employment between the six urban/rural sectors if trying to reduce long distance commuting.

Distribution of long distance commuting by main mode

4.33. An analysis of Census data (2001) was undertaken to determine percentages of long distance trips by mode for Scotland. It may be seen from Table 4.7 that four-fifths (80%) of long distance out-commuters travelled by car, 8% travelled by bus and 7% by train.

Table 4.7: Long distance in-commuters: mode share

4.34. Table 4.8 details out-commuting mode share by Local Authority

Table 4.8: Long distance out-commuting mode share by Local Authority

4.35. The highest percentages by car mode share are from those based in the Scottish Borders (88% car), Shetland Islands (88%), Clackmannanshire (87%) and Perth and Kinross (86%). Lower percentages of car commuting are from those based in West Dunbartonshire (70%), Moray (73%) and Argyll and Bute (74%). West Dunbartonshire has the largest percentage of long distance commutes by train (16%). Midlothian (19%) and East Lothian (14%) have the largest bus long distance commute mode share.

4.36. Table 4.9 details 'in-commuting' mode share by Local Authority.

Table 4.9: Long distance in-commuting mode-share by Local Authority

4.37. Long distance commuters working in West Lothian (93%), Clackmannanshire (93%), Falkirk (92%), Midlothian (91%), North Lanarkshire (90%) and Fife (90%) have the highest car mode-share. Long distance commuters working in Glasgow (64%), Edinburgh (70%), and Aberdeen (70%) tend to be less likely than the Scottish average to use their cars.

4.38. The highest percentage of long distance train-commuters work in Glasgow City (21%) and Edinburgh (14%). The highest percentage of bus-use among long distance commuters is to jobs in Edinburgh (14%), Glasgow (13%) and Argyll and Bute (12%).

Out -commuting mode share by RTP area

4.39. The transport mode analysis of long distance commuting trips was also undertaken for the new Regional Transport Partnership areas. It was found that the highest percentages of long distance car out-commuters are based in Shetland (88%) and South West Scotland (85%). The highest percentage of train long distance out-commutes are based in the West (10%) and South East (8%). The highest percentages of long distance bus out-commuters are based in South East (9%) and West Scotland (8%). A summary is provided in Figures 4.23 and 4.24.

Distribution of long distance commuting by main employment centres

4.40. Consideration was given to long distance commuting into the following major employment centres:

• Edinburgh
• Glasgow
• Aberdeen
• Dundee
• Inverness

4.41. Tables showing the absolute numbers of long distance commuters into these five areas, by origin and destination, are provided in Annex 1

Figure 4.1: AM Peak journey purposes

Figure 4.2: PM Peak journey purposes

Figure 4.3: Proportion long distance commuting in AM peak by Local Authority ( SHS Travel Diary February 1999 to March 2004)

Figure 4.4: Census 2001 Scottish residents in employment (age 16 to 74): commuting distance (less than 50km)

Figure 4.5: Number of long distance out-commuters by Local Authority

Figure 4.6: Number of long distance in-commuters by Local Authority

Figure 4.7: 'Long distance ratio' out-commuting by Local Authority

Figure 4.8: 'Long distance ratio' in-commuting by Local Authority

Figure 4.9: Absolute numbers of long distance out-commuters in Scotland

Figure 4.10: Absolute numbers of long distance out-commuters in central Scotland

Figure 4.11: Absolute numbers of long distance in-commuters in Scotland

Figure 4.12: Absolute numbers of long distance in-commuters in central Scotland

Figure 4.13: Percentage of long distance out-commuters for long distance threshold of 15km

Figure 4.14: Percentage of long distance out-commuters for long distance thresholds of 20km

Figure 4.15: Percentage of long distance out-commuters for long distance thresholds of 25km

Figure 4.16: Percentage of long distance out-commuters for long distance thresholds of 30km

Figure 4.17: Percentage of long distance in-commuters for long distance threshold of 15km

Figure 4.18: Percentage of long distance in-commuters for long distance threshold of 20km

Figure 4.19: Percentage of long distance in-commuters for long distance threshold of 25km

Figure 4.20: Percentage of long distance in-commuters for long distance threshold of 30km

Figure 4.21: All Scotland Census 2001 travel to work: difference between numbers of people working in a data zone and number of employed residents living within the data zone

Figure 4.22: Central Scotland Census 2001 travel to work: difference between numbers of people working in a data zone and number of employed residents living within the data zone

Figure 4.23: Out - commuting mode share by Regional Transport Partnership

Figure 4.24: In - commuting mode share by Regional Transport Partnership

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