Personal Characteristics and Patterns of Vehicle Usage Among Van and Pick-Up Drivers in Michigan

A comprehensive analysis was undertaken of those who own and drive light vans, recreational vehicles and pickups, using an extensive disaggregate data set on the driving habits of motorists measured throughout Michigan during all of 1976. The data were derived from a survey conducted by the Michigan Department of State. Socioeconomic and household characteristics of all owners and users in the survey (up to about 1925 out of 7600 respondents) were examined, together with detailed descriptive statistics on the behavior of motorists actually using vans, recreational vehicles, or pickups on a designated recent trip day. It was found that the users and owners of these vehicles generate more travel than any other private vehicle-user class, and that this may be related to socioeconomic and geographical factors.