Sustainable Commuting: Results from a Social Approach and International Evidence on Carpooling

José Alberto Molina,J Ignacio Giménez-Nadal,Jorge Velilla

doi:10.3390/su12229587

José Alberto Molina, J Ignacio Giménez-Nadal + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su12229587

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Abstract

Sustainable commuting (SC) usually refers to environmentally friendly travel modes, such as public transport (bus, tram, subway, light rail), walking, cycling, and carpooling. The double aim of the paper is to summarize relevant prior results in commuting from a social approach, and to provide new, international empirical evidence on carpooling as a specific mode of sustainable commuting. The literature shows that certain socio-demographic characteristics clearly affect the use of non-motorized alternatives, and compared to driving, well-being is greater for those using active travel or public transport. Additionally, this paper analyzes the behavior of carpooling for commuting, using ordinary least squares (OLS) models, which have been estimated from the Multinational Time Use Study (MTUS) for the following countries: Bulgaria, Canada, Spain, Finland, France, Hungary, Italy, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Results indicate that carpooling for commuting is not habitual for workers, as less than 25% of the total time from/to work by car is done with others on board. With respect to the role of the socio-demographic characteristics of individuals, our evidence indicates that age, gender, education, being native, and household composition may have a cross-country, consistent relationship with carpooling participation. Given that socializing is the main reason for carpooling, in the current COVID-19 pandemic, carpooling may be decreasing and, consequently, initiatives have been launched to show that carpooling is a necessary way to avoid crowded modes of transport. Thus, the development of high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) lanes by local authorities can increase carpooling, and draw attention to the economic and environmental benefits of carpooling for potential users.

Highlights

Commuting is, obviously, a transportation issue, with multiple implications for the daily life of individuals and families, in terms of household responsibilities [1], employment [2,3,4], and well-being [5,6]
There is no definitive association between active commuting (AC) and mental well-being, most of the evidence shows that, compared to driving, well-being is greater for those using active travel or public transport, with this positive effect being considered in cost-benefit assessments of public interventions seeking to promote AC
The analysis of subjective determinants uses the theory of planned behavior to conclude that individual intentions have a direct impact on Sustainable commuting (SC), and that residents who live in areas of high population density are more likely to adopt SC

Summary

Introduction

A transportation issue, with multiple implications for the daily life of individuals and families, in terms of household responsibilities [1], employment [2,3,4], and well-being [5,6]. Commuting generates a high level of CO2 emissions globally, with this increasingly being a result of environmentally unfriendly transport behaviors. In this context, it is necessary for policy-makers to design and implement efficient strategies [7,8,9], primarily taking into account the public opinion of users [10], aimed at decreasing these emissions and promoting better management of the environment. The double aim of this paper is to summarize important prior results in commuting studies from a social approach, and to provide new international, empirical evidence on carpooling as a specific mode of sustainable commuting. We document that carpooling for commuting is a practice that, up to now, is not habitual for workers

Subjective and Objective Determinants

Health and Well-Being

Commuting to School

Carpooling

Findings

Conclusions and Future