Basics for a Health-Oriented Design and Use of Transport Systems - Analysing Travelers’ Exposure and Behaviour

Abstract

Background Participating in traffic in everyday mobility can have positive and negative impacts on travellers’ health. Exposure to air pollutants, especially particulate matter, results in numerous premature deaths and increases among others the development and aggravation of cardiovascular diseases. Methods Travelers’ exposures to (ultra) fine particles in the range from 6 nanometer up to 10 micrometer fine particles have been measured with (condensation) particle counters attached to travelers and vehicles in different German cities. Results of the measurements among other information have been prepared for questionnaires to analyse possible behaviour changes by providing information. The results of the questionnaire have been analysed using SPSS. Results There is strong acceptance among the 164 respondents to change to health-friendly alternatives when having the same travel time and the same costs. The willingness to change when having the same travel time but higher costs finds moderate approval, higher travel times with same costs are less approved. There is consent regarding an occasional behavioural change and a change in behaviour in suitable weather conditions, while only moderate agreement to a persistent behavioural change was found. Major differences in the selection of relevant influencing factors occur depending on the most frequently chosen means of transport. The influence factor “stress” is the most stated factor by people who indicated 'car' or 'bus, train or tram' as their most frequently used means of transport. People who have stated bike as their main means of transport mention the factor stress only at rank “four”. To extend their lifetime by five months, travelers would accept an average of 11.11 minutes of additional daily travel time. To reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases by 15% they would accept an average daily travel time extension of 12.8 minutes. Stated-preferences show that respondents are willing to choose a different route when commuting by bike or to change their means of transport in favour of their health. It should be noted that almost all respondents who change the means of transport remain using public transport. When selecting the route or the mean of transport, the travelling time only is not the decisive criterion for all respondents. Conclusions This study shows that small shifts in awareness, guidance or general transport planning practice can have a very significant impact on the personal exposure to pollutants. If provided with the right information, people are willing to change their behaviour to improve their expected health impacts.