Improving insight in modal choice determinants: an approach towards more sustainable transport

Abstract

This paper will discuss how understanding what determinants influence modal choice is important towards developing more sustainable transport systems. An improved knowledge about these factors is vital in tackling the current mobility problems in a more efficient and sustainable way. In order to assist in the understanding and modeling of modal choice decisions a review on modal choice and its determinants is carried out. The data collection strategy for this review is mainly based on a computerized search guided by the search term ‘modal choice’ and mostly covers the last two decades. First of all, it was found that researchers too often rely on a unimodal approach when studying modal choice and this leads to an underestimation of access and exit modes by neglecting other travel modes, which are mainly the softer modes (walking and cycling). Taking into account the sequence of modes within a single trip is therefore needed to analyze daily mobility in a more sustainable and realistic way. Second, the review clearly showed that modal choice is determined by a whole range of factors that are interrelated to a larger or smaller extent. It is often the result of a very compound choice process that can take place consciously or unconsciously and that includes objective as well as subjective determinants. This paper identifies and structures the determinants of importance influencing the modal choice decision. Moreover, improving insight in these influencing factors can assist in developing policy measures that are better adjusted to the current mobility trends in order to create a modal shift towards more sustainable transport modes and therefore reducing environmental impacts.