Identifying the Characteristics of Households with Multiple Car Ownership

Abstract

This paper examines the characteristics of households with multiple car ownership in Dublin, Ireland. Data from the 2006 Census of Ireland are analysed to ascertain the characteristics of these households. The analysis of multiple car ownership presented herein examines individual specific, transport availability, and household characteristics to provide an indication of the individuals most likely to have access to more than one vehicle. The analysis of multiple car ownership presented in this paper examines both individual specific characteristics and household characteristics to provide an indication of the individuals most likely to have access to more than one vehicle. Understanding the characteristics of households with more than one car is important for many reasons. Ireland, like many countries has recently launched a number of electric vehicle and car sharing schemes. Traditionally these schemes have been aimed at reducing multiple car ownership, therefore it’s important to develop an understanding of the households that would most likely give up an extra car and use a car club or an electric vehicle. The results of this paper show that several factors impact upon multiple car ownership. Factors such as occupation, residential density, household structure, and public transport availability all have significant impacts upon the decision to own more than one car. The findings of the multinomial logistic regression modelling are applied to find an area in Dublin that has high potential for either changing the households’ second or third vehicle to an electric car or the use of a car club.