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Book part
Publication date: 4 December 2014

Hyun-Chan Kim, Alan Nicholson and Diana Kusumastuti

This study aims to identify the determinants of transport mode choice and the constraints on shifting freight in New Zealand (NZ) from road to rail and/or coastal shipping, and to…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to identify the determinants of transport mode choice and the constraints on shifting freight in New Zealand (NZ) from road to rail and/or coastal shipping, and to quantify the trade-off between factors affecting shippers’ perceptions, to assist in increasing the share of freight moved by non-road transport modes.

Methodology

A revealed preference survey of 183 freight shippers, including small and medium enterprises and freight agents in NZ, is used to investigate whether freight shippers’ characteristics affect their ranked preference for attributes related to mode choice and modal shift. Additionally, a rank-ordered logistic (ROL) model is estimated using the ranking data.

Findings

The results reveal several distinct types of transport mode choice behaviour within the sample and show how the preferences for timeliness, cost, accessibility, damage and loss, customer service, and suitability vary between industry groups and business types. Also, the ROL method allows us to identify heterogeneity in preferences for mode choice and mode shift factors for freight within NZ.

The results imply that NZ shippers ranked transport time as the most significant constraint upon distributing goods by rail, while accessibility and load size were the most significant constraints upon using coastal shipping. The study also identifies how NZ shippers’ modal shift constraints vary according to the firm’s individual or logistical characteristics.

Research implications

This study informs freight transport policy makers about the needs of NZ shippers by providing quantitative measures of the intensity of preference for the various mode choice factors.

Practical implications

Those involved in freight transport have a better basis for formulating transport policy.

Article
Publication date: 23 July 2021

Nunyi Vachaku Blamah, Hangwelani Magidimisha-Chipungu, Matthew Dayomi and Ayobami Abayomi Popoola

This paper sought to uncover the intrinsic determinants of the choice of transport modes in Nigeria's capital city, Abuja, based on commuters' perceptions on different modes of

Abstract

Purpose

This paper sought to uncover the intrinsic determinants of the choice of transport modes in Nigeria's capital city, Abuja, based on commuters' perceptions on different modes of transport. The ultimate goal of the study was to come up with suitable multifaceted measures to deter private car usage, while refocusing society's mind-set towards alternative forms of transport, thereby keying into some transport-related sustainable development goals (SDG) goals.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted qualitative methods: 320 commuters were surveyed at bus stops and car parks around the city, and respondents were identified using multistage sampling, aided by purposive/convenience sampling, and this number was reached by saturation of themes. Focus group discussions were held with eight screened public officials from relevant (transportation and environment related) agencies/unions in the city. NVivo 10 software was used to thematically analyse the data gathered from a relativist and an interpretive stand point.

Findings

The study found transport mode choice to be intrinsically more motivated by socio-economic forces serving as a basis for other socio-psychological factors. Multifaceted measures, including spatial, socio-economic, environmental and public relation measures, were found suitable to break car-use motives in the study area towards adopting alternative modes of transport, thereby achieving some transport-related SDG targets.

Originality/value

The study was unique as it looked at the intrinsic mode choice determinants from a Sub-Saharan African capital city perspective and provided suitable multifaceted best practiced measures that deemphasised car use while emphasising alternative modes, thereby shifting commuters' mind-set towards environmentally sustainable modes of transport.

Details

Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, vol. 12 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-6099

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 July 2018

Mattia Cattaneo, Paolo Malighetti, Chiara Morlotti and Stefano Paleari

This study aims to explore the propensity of university students to use different sustainable transport modes, taking into account individual and specific trip characteristics, as…

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore the propensity of university students to use different sustainable transport modes, taking into account individual and specific trip characteristics, as well as students’ psychological traits (i.e. attitudes).

Design/methodology/approach

Using the transport mode preferences of 827 students who responded to a travel survey, a two-step analysis is conducted. The first step examines the effects of individual characteristics, travel experience and origin or destination features on students’ stated preferences (i.e. self-selected values assigned to personal attitudes). The second step analyses students’ travel mode choices, given their intrinsic mobility attitudes.

Findings

The results suggest that informing students about environmental issues increases their propensity to use sustainable mobility, leading to an average decrease in private transport usage of 5.8 per cent. Interestingly, improving the public transport service and promoting sustainable transport mobility have different impacts on individual campus areas. For campuses located in the city centre and in the historical hamlet, improvements in public transport are found to decrease solo driving by 3.3 per cent and 5.3 per cent, respectively. In suburban areas, this value increases to 9.5 per cent.

Originality/value

This work makes two contributions to the literature. First, it focuses on an unexplored setting, namely, that of a multi-campus university, with districts located in three different areas. This is used to explain how students are influenced by their travel experience and the cultural framework in which they are embedded. Second, the two-step analysis leads to a deeper understanding of the differences between attitudes and “intrinsic attitudes”, and their relative influence on the preferred alternative.

Details

International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, vol. 19 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-6370

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 March 2017

Anja Hergesell

This study aims to contribute to a better understanding of environmentally friendly consumers. It examines differences in holiday transport mode choices by persons’ general level…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to contribute to a better understanding of environmentally friendly consumers. It examines differences in holiday transport mode choices by persons’ general level of environmental commitment across lifestyle domains. Adopting a marketing perspective, the study also explores transport mode perceptions and underlying product attribute preferences that may shape holiday transport mode choices.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted Kaiser’s (1998) General Ecological Behaviour scale to measure commitment to environmentally friendly behaviour. ANOVAs were run to examine differences in actual holiday travel behaviour and transport mode perceptions by level of environmental commitment. Pattern models were calculated to estimate differences in the relative importance of selected transport mode attributes (price, travel time, punctuality, accessibility, flexibility, comfort and environmental impact).

Findings

The study findings suggest that differences exist in transport mode choices for train and car use, but not for plane use, namely, train users tend to be more environmentally committed and car users less so. Differences were also noted in transport mode perceptions, with more environmentally friendly consumers holding more favourable views of the train. Those who are more environmentally committed also placed greater importance on environmental impact and less importance on comfort and time in mode choice.

Originality/value

The study applied an environmental scale thus far not used within tourism research. It also adopted a marketing perspective focused on product attributes to support the development of strategies to encourage environmentally friendly holiday transport mode choice.

Details

International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research, vol. 11 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6182

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 July 2017

Johan Hagberg and Ulrika Holmberg

Although the movement of goods by consumers represents a large proportion of the economic and environmental impact of the distribution chain, this topic has been insufficiently…

1840

Abstract

Purpose

Although the movement of goods by consumers represents a large proportion of the economic and environmental impact of the distribution chain, this topic has been insufficiently explored in the retailing literature. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the understanding of shopping travel-mode choice in the context of grocery shopping.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents findings from a Swedish national survey of 1,694 respondents that included questions regarding travel-mode choices and consumer characteristics, mobility conditions, shopping behaviours and environmental interests and engagements.

Findings

This paper shows how travel modes interrelate and how various consumer characteristics, shopping behaviours, mobility conditions and environmental interests and engagements relate to and affect travel-mode choice in grocery shopping. General travel patterns and distance to store are shown to be the most important factors in explaining the mode of transport for grocery shopping.

Originality/value

This paper presents data from a national representative survey and provides novel analyses of travel-mode choices in grocery shopping and the interrelationships among those choices, in addition to the interrelationship between travel-mode choice and the use of home delivery. This paper contributes to a further understanding of consumer mobility in the context of grocery shopping.

Details

International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, vol. 45 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-0552

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 April 2021

Taru Saigal, Arun Kr. Vaish and N.V. Muralidhar Rao

Using survey data of a developing country city, this study aims to examine the impact of different socio-demographic factors on the choice of less-polluting modes of transport for…

Abstract

Purpose

Using survey data of a developing country city, this study aims to examine the impact of different socio-demographic factors on the choice of less-polluting modes of transport for purposes other than work.

Design/methodology/approach

Stratified random sampling technique is employed and data on socio-demographic characteristics and mode of transport used is collected. Descriptive statistics complemented with a logit model of choice probabilities is implemented on the data obtained.

Findings

Majority of the population in the city uses motorized means of transportation irrespective of the socio-demographic changes existing among them. Women, the individuals belonging to the youngest age group, the least economically well-off group of people, the least educated and the non-working are the individuals more likely to use more of less-polluting modes and less of more-polluting modes for non-work purposes as compared to their counterparts.

Research limitations/implications

The study also calls for the development of an efficient and secured system of public transportation and non-motorized transportation in the city in such a way so as to neither hamper the goal of sustainability nor the goal of empowerment.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time a comprehensive analysis of the influence of socio-demographic factors on choice of type of mode of transport is carried out in this region of the developing world. This analysis will facilitate the policy makers in catering to the transportation needs of different segments of the society.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 32 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Abstract

Details

Auto Motives
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-0-85-724234-1

Book part
Publication date: 29 January 2013

Alejandro Tudela, Khandker M. Nurul Habib and Ahmed Osman Idris

Purpose — Study the causal effect of psychological factors on mode choice, using an instrument which gathered attitudinal, affective and habitual behaviour factors, with an…

Abstract

Purpose — Study the causal effect of psychological factors on mode choice, using an instrument which gathered attitudinal, affective and habitual behaviour factors, with an application to a Canadian and Chilean sample.

Approach — Ad hoc questionnaire used to collect information related to psychological factors, studying the role of these factors upon mode choice using structural equation modelling, combining a measurement model and the latent variables.

Findings — Emotional (affective) factors have a strong influence on mode choice, as well as attitudinal and habitual factors. Car users have a strong positive emotion to the transport mode they use when compared with public transport users and transit utilization.

Research limitations — The inclusion of social factors, such as norm, role and self-concept, is desirable for a better understanding of people's behaviour regarding transport mode usage. The structural equation modelling was used to analyse the causal effects among factors, but it is not intended to model mode choice. An advanced approach would be to estimate a hybrid discrete choice model.

Practical implications — Realizing the real importance of personal psychological factors on mode choice is a key issue when intending to implement mobility and travel demand management strategies. The success of these strategies strongly relies on people's change of behaviour, which does not depend only on instrumental and socio-demographic factors, such as cost, time and income, but also on these very inner personal aspects.

Originality/value — Capture psychological factors through a comprehensive survey, which rests on a psychological framework and considers simultaneously attitudinal, affective and habitual personal factors, as well as instrumental and socio-demographic information. Make a comparison among cities belonging to different countries regarding the role of these factors, cities with a different cultural and social background.

Details

Transport Survey Methods
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78-190288-2

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 July 2018

Sven Gross and Bente Grimm

The purpose of this paper is to learn more about the determinants that influence the tourists’ choice of mode of transport at the destination, and it is intended to contribute to…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to learn more about the determinants that influence the tourists’ choice of mode of transport at the destination, and it is intended to contribute to the sustainable mobility of tourists. In line with this approach, the main emphasis is placed on public transport (PT) within the destination.

Design/methodology/approach

In addition to illustrating frequency, users and non-users of public transport were analysed. Differences in the selected influencing factors on the choice of the modes of transport are determined using the chi-square test for nominal variables, and statistical significance was determined using Kruskal–Wallis H-test for the ordinal variables.

Findings

The analysis illustrates that the most important socio-demographic determinants in public transport use are: age, household size, net household income, car availability and current professional activity. In terms of travel-orientated variables, the arrival transport means, as well as the travel duration, travel expenses and travel organisation stand out.

Research limitations/implications

Although the Reiseanalyse (RA) has been established in German tourism research for many years, the present study is not without limitations. First, the questionnaire of the RA is made up of standard questions that are (nearly) identical year after year and topic-specific questions from one or more customers. The questions used in the present analysis were, therefore, not developed specifically for this contribution. Second, the authors cannot evaluate the existing data in more detail because the data structure does not provide this. Only two variables can be related at a time. Due to financial limitations, the authors could not use the raw data. For this reason, it is not possible to perform mediator analyses or multiple predictions to check relationships between independent variables (such as income, number of cars, profession or age). In this context, it should be noted that the observed differences to the other studies cited can also be because of different methodological approaches of the individual studies. While most of the studies used for comparison include tourists from one overnight stay, this paper focuses on main holiday trips with a duration of five days and more. There are also differences in the survey itself. Most of the face-to-face surveys were conducted on site. The RA, on the other hand, takes place at home with respondents with a time delay after the holiday trip. In this context, it is particularly important to note that these results are representative for the whole of the Federal Republic of Germany, i.e. the domestic holidays of the German-speaking population living in Germany, and that they are not representative for any single city or a similar spatial unit.

Originality/value

Tourism-related mobility negatively effects all (German) destinations. Greater focus on sustainable mobility of tourists, specifically sustainable transportation, is playing an increasingly important role in science and practice. To ensure a successful reorientation, it is crucial to know which factors influence the choice of modes of transport for local tourists. Therefore, this paper analyses selected determinants influencing the choice of modes of transport for tourists. This research is based upon representative data for holiday mobility at destinations during Germans’ domestic holidays. The objective was to learn more about the determinants that influence the tourists’ choice of mode of transport at the destination, and it is intended to contribute to the sustainable mobility of tourists. In line with this approach, the main emphasis is placed on public transport (PT) within the destination.

Details

Tourism Review, vol. 73 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1660-5373

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 January 2016

Attiyah Al-Atawi

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the actual demand on formal car-sharing scheme in Saudi Arabia as a means of public modes of transport in order to assess the potential…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the actual demand on formal car-sharing scheme in Saudi Arabia as a means of public modes of transport in order to assess the potential future of this mode in Saudi Arabia as a policy measure.

Design/methodology/approach

In this context, this paper investigates the potential feasibility of introducing formal car-sharing scheme as a means of public modes of transport in Tabuk city. Investigation of the characteristics of trip makers, which impact on the decision of selecting the currently available informal car-sharing as a mode of travel, is presented. The paper investigates the factors which affect the decisions of car-sharing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia using the household survey data. Discrete choice modelling techniques have been adopted in this research to investigate behaviour and attitudes to car-sharing and the binary logit model has been utilised.

Findings

From the results, in the case of Tabuk, the main factor in selection of the transport mode is the social role, and specifically the role inside the family. Results showed that about 49 per cent of total respondents drive to work, while about 20 per cent reported that they use car-sharing. About 8 per cent of respondents reported that they use a private driver, while other 8 per cent reported that they use a contracted driver.

Originality/value

Investigation of the potential of introducing formal car-sharing scheme in Saudi Arabia as a means of public modes of transport in Saudi Arabia which is a more sustainable mode of transport.

Details

World Journal of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, vol. 13 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-5945

Keywords

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