Masters Theses

Date of Award

12-1986

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Geography

Major Professor

Theodore H. Schmudde

Abstract

Rural America is in transition. Nowhere has this change been more extensive than in Appalachia, especially East Tennessee. This thesis attempts to trace the extent of this change through the travel patterns among the residents of Claiborne County, Tennessee.

Initially, a 1-1/2 percent survey of all households within the county was conducted. From this survey, spheres of influence from surrounding urban centers were delineated for the county. Then, through data gathered on the frequency of travel to these influence areas, three different travel types were found to exist in the county. Finally, to establish the reasons behind these three divergent types of travel, the variables of income, age, travel time, and travel distance were included in a regression analysis. In conclusion, income was shown to be the dominant factor affecting travel almost always indicating the travel grouping to which an individual belonged.

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