Retailer Behavior Near Fixed Transit Lines in Los Angeles: A Spatial Autoregressive Probit Model to Evaluate Retail Clustering

Aggregate studies of retail uses around fixed transit lines and in transit-oriented development are scarce. In total, 8,402 retail locations were identified within half mile of twenty-seven stations in Los Angeles County, USA. Sixteen spatial autoregressive (SAR) probit models help us identify five retail categories (everyday uses, opportunists, rivals, hotels, and large footprints) based on how the retail uses self-cluster, cluster with other uses, choose transit station type preferences, prefer building types and are influenced by gentrification. The results help planners understand that aesthetic improvements and zoning changes are likely to lead to increased restaurant presence and specialized retail clusters, while strip malls further from stations beneficially provide locations for everyday uses.