Abstract Analysis of the results of past mass transit bond issues can aid transportation planners in understanding and anticipating voter behavior. This paper reports the results of an analysis of the 1968 rapid transit bond issue vote in Los Angeles, California. The simple relationships of the vote to a variety of possible explanatory variables are first examined. An attempt to assess the relative independent importance of these variables and to offer a partial explanation of the vote using multiple regression analysis is then presented. Variables found to have had the greatest impact on the vote are proximity to the proposed transit system, income-level, and ethnicity. Variables found to have had little or no effect, on the other hand, are population density, age, partisanship, and election turnout rate. The analysis indicates that the frequently used “mood-of-the-electorate” explanation of bond-issue failures in general, and transit proposals in particular, underestimates the quality of the electoral decision. The electorate does make rational distinctions, and future bonding attempts will confront voters capable of perceiving the utility to them of proposed transit systems and voting accordingly. The policy implications of this analysis suggest that the design of future mass transit proposals should, firstly more explicitly attempt to incorporate the preferences of middle-income voters, and secondly, be part of a comprehensive transit plan for the entire metropolitan area.
An analysis of the 1968 rapid transit vote in Los Angeles
Transportation ; 2 , 1
1973
Article (Journal)
English
Planning rapid transit for Los Angeles
Engineering Index Backfile | 1967
Bus Rapid Transit or Light Rail Transit—How to Decide?: Los Angeles Case Study
Transportation Research Record | 2002
|Bus Rapid Transit or Light Rail Transit -- How to Decide? Los Angeles Case Study
Online Contents | 2002
|Bus Rapid Transit or Light Rail Transit-How to Decide? Los Angeles Case Study
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2002
|Direct Ridership Model of Bus Rapid Transit in Los Angeles County, California
Transportation Research Record | 2010
|