MODES OF TRANSPORT ON SHORT JOURNEYS: ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOUR OF THE INHABITANTS OF GOTHENBURG

Abstract

During the past 20 years, car traffic in Europe has increased at an explosive rate, which has had a negative effect on both the external environment and the quality of life. The purpose of this study, which replicates an earlier study under the name ADONIS (Analysis and Development of New Insight into Substitution of short car trips by cycling and walking), was to increase understanding of the factors controlling the choice of transport mode and to provide proposals on how people can be motivated to choose a transport mode which is more favourable for the environment. This study, which was carried out in Gothenburg, analysed short journeys on foot, cycle and car with the aid of a travel diary and an attitude survey. The attitude survey was designed in accordance with an expanded version of the Theory of Planned Behaviour which included; attitudes, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control and habit. The attitude survey showed that the variables in the expanded version of the theory explained between 42 to 69 per cent of the intention to walk, cycle or drive a car for a short distance. The variables which had the highest explanatory value were perceived behavioural control and habit. In accordance with the theory, the effects of socio-economic factors were indirect, apart from the observation that gender was an important factor in explaining the intention to walk. This means that the Theory of Planned Behaviour together with habit can advantageously be used in the evaluation of different projects. (A)

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