This study measures sprawl in multiple dimensions and investigates
its impact on an array of transportation-related outcomes. For most
outcomes, sprawling regions perform less well than compact ones.
This is true of everything from transit use to traffic fatalities. The
exceptions are average commute time and annual traffic delay per
capita, which do not clearly favor compactness over sprawl.
The main limitation of this study has to do with the data it uses.
By necessity, the study uses highly aggregate data from a variety of
sources that are not always consistent as to the area under study and
time period. They are simply the best data available from national
sources with sufficient breadth to provide a panoramic view of
sprawl in the United States. Results will have to be validated through
follow-up work of a more focused nature.