Millennial generation still behind the wheel

    But it’s not that simple, according to University of Vermont researchers. A recent study found that today’s environmentally conscious young people are likely to take a car if public transit options are unavailable.  
    Researchers examined teenage behavior at two school districts in the suburbs of Burlington, Vermont. In the first -- a semi-urban district -- teen destinations (malls, for example) were nearby and public transportation was available, according to a university news release. The other district, a rural and suburban area, had little public transportation. Destinations were available either by car or school bus. In both communities, many families had the resources to purchase a car for their teen or make an existing vehicle available.
    In the more rural district, teenagers had their driver’s license “on average within a month of their 16th birthday,” the news release said. In the more urban community, teenagers delayed getting licenses for several months.
    Meghan Cope, professor of geography at the University of Vermont and co-author of the study, said that a future with fewer cars on the road could be brought about with careful planning. That means:

• More developments with a mix of homes, businesses and places to go, such as shopping centers and eateries.
• A focus on public transportation, along with bicycling and pedestrian walkways in neighborhoods and commercial developments.

    The research has been published in the Annals of the Association of American Geographers. 

    Related:

    What is the millennial generation?

    Millennials: Success outside of control

    Meet the parents: Millennials live at home

    Report: Is college worth the cost?

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