Abstract
Interest into active modes (i.e. walking and cycling) has increased significantly over the past decades, with governments worldwide ultimately aiming for a modal shift towards active modes. To devise policies that promote this goal, understanding the determinants that influence the choice for an active mode is essential. The Netherlands is country with a large and demographically diverse active mode user population, mature and complete active mode infrastructure, and safe environment. Mode choice research from the Netherlands enables a comparison on relevant determinants with countries that have a low active mode share. Furthermore, it can provide quantitative input for policies aiming at an active mode shift. This paper estimates a mode choice model focusing on active modes, while including a more comprehensive set of modes (i.e. walking, cycling, public transport and car). Based on data from the Netherlands Mobility Panel (MPN) in combination with an additional survey focused on active modes (coined PAW-AM), this study estimates which determinants influence mode choice. The determinants can be categorized as individual characteristics, household characteristics, season and weather characteristics, trip characteristics, built environment, and work conditions. The results show that all categories of determinants influence both walking and cycling. However, the choice for cycling or walking is affected by different determinants and to a different extent. In addition, no active mode nest was found in the model estimation. Cycling and walking should thus be regarded as two distinguished alternatives. Furthermore, the results show that active mode use is most sensitive to changes in the trip characteristics and the built environment.
Highlights
In the past decades, interest into active modes has significantly increased
Active mode infrastructure was found to be of limited relevance in explaining active mode choice, whereas literature states this as important determinants for cycling and walking
This paper presents the findings of a mode choice model for the Netherlands, focusing on active modes while including a more comprehensive set of modes, aimed at understanding the determinants of choosing a mode in relation to the other modes
Summary
Interest into active modes (i.e. walking and cycling) has significantly increased. A high share of active modes in terms of the number of trips has many potential benefits. At the individual level it can provide health benefits due to increased activity levels, and at the network level it might reduce traffic jams and the associated emissions when substituting the car. Governments worldwide have set goals for increasing the active mode share (Pan-European Programme, 2014). They are aiming for a modal shift from motorized to active modes. This transition could be achieved by designing effective policies. Understanding which determinants influence the choice for an active mode can serve as valuable input for these policies
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