Mobility Patterns in the Campus of the University of Patras

Abstract

This paper explores mobility patterns of students, academics and staff travelling from/to the campus of the University of Patras, as well as their mobility behavior in the campus, based on a survey launched in November 2021 (N = 1095). The questionnaire covered the following issues: choice of transport modes; factors influencing the transport mode choices; barriers to using public transport and active modes. Results indicate that 40% of the community drive to university, while for respondents of more than 26 years old, this percentage raises to more than 60%. Public transport is mainly used by students, and the use of active modes appears to be limited. Almost 30% of public transport users are not satisfied with the mode they use. Access to public transport and waiting time at the station are associated with the use of public transport. With 26% of car users reporting a total commuting time of less than 10 min, results indicate that a significant number of trips could be alternatively made with soft modes, provided the necessary infrastructure. Travel time, reliability, and ease of access are considered to be the most important mode choice criteria, while comfort, and safety are the main barriers preventing the use of active modes. Moreover, more than 70% of the community moves within the campus, 79% of them on foot. The findings of this study may prove useful for the design of sustainable mobility policies for travelers to/from and inside the campus.