The role of attitudes, transport priorities, and car use habit for travel mode use and intentions to use public transportation in an urban Norwegian public

Abstract

The present study aims to identify clusters of transport users and to examine the role of transport priorities, travel mode use attitudes, and car use habit on travel mode use. An additional aim is to test whether such factors predict intentions to use public transport and reported use of public transport. Data were collected via a self-completion questionnaire survey conducted in June and August 2013. Participants included a total of 1039 people who were randomly selected from the urban regions of Norway using the Norwegian population registry. Due to missing data on travel mode use variables the analyses were conducted with 546 observed cases. Two clusters of transport users were identified; individuals who primarily use public and health-promoting transport (e.g. public transportation users, bicyclists) and car users. Logistic regression analysis showed that older age, strength of the car use habit, and priorities of flexibility (e.g. prioritize being able to choose the exact time of travel) increased the odds of car use. Structural Equation Modeling showed that priority of convenience, priority of safety and security, and favorable attitudes towards public transport use were positive predictors of intentions to use public transportation, while car use habit was a negative predictor of both intentions to use public transportation and reported public transportation use. Traffic safety campaigns aiming to increase public transportation use in the urban Norwegian public could focus on increasing the attractiveness of public transport, particularly by improving flexibility of such transport.