Mobility Choices Research Articles

Driving Change in Corporate Mobility Management — Comprehensive Perspectives on Mobility Budgets for Employees

Corporate Mobility Management (CMM) is a key part of the transformation towards sustainable mobility and has an impact on emissions and employee satisfaction. Mobility budgets (MBs), categorized as employee benefits, offer a unique solution for transforming employee mobility. This article summarizes the results of two studies and provides a comprehensive overview. Study I, a representative survey (n=994) in Germany, examines the differences between MB users (MBN) and non-users (NU). NU show longer commuting distances and a lower perception of sustainability, which underlines the transformative effect of MB. Socio-demographic nuances, including gender and socio-economic factors, further influence mobility choices. Study II focuses on three case studies presenting different MB implementations. Overall, our results underline the transformative potential of MBs regarding the change towards sustainability. Policy makers and companies should develop solutions for different socio-demographic groups, take gender preferences into account and consider the impact on commuting behavior. The presented holistic framework contributes to a more sustainable and satisfying mobility experience for workers and is in line with broader environmental goals.

A Lifestyle-Based Perspective on the Mobility Choices and Preferences of Urban Travelers

This study investigates how lifestyle factors influence mobility choices within the metropolitan area of Thessaloniki, which is the second largest city in Greece. The primary objective is to understand the interplay between lifestyle attitudes and preferences for sustainable mobility options. This research utilizes data from a comprehensive survey conducted among Thessaloniki’s inhabitants, identifying four distinct attitudinal clusters shaped by lifestyle characteristics and general attitudes toward recycling, energy conservation, social distancing, and other factors. A two-step clustering approach combining hierarchical and k-means methods as well as Chi-square and Kruskal–Wallis tests were employed to investigate whether life attitudes are correlated with revealed and stated mode choices as well as beliefs, perceptions, and feelings related to the current and future public transport systems and micromobility options in the metropolitan area of Thessaloniki. The findings reveal significant variations in mobility choices across the identified lifestyle segments with environmentally conscious segments showing a higher propensity for sustainable modes of transport. Additionally, differences are observed in perceptions and intentions regarding micromobility and the future mass transit system within the region, suggesting that when introducing a new metro system that is expected to promote a shift toward public transport, segment-specific approaches are necessary for raising awareness and increasing trust to the new mode.

Sustainable practices and household resilience: an empirical analysis of behavior change in times of crises

Understanding sustainability behavior is essential in tackling the global challenge of climate change. The importance of studying sustainability practices and their dynamics grows in light of recent global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the energy crisis following the Ukraine war. These events both challenge and shape individual sustainable practices, offering opportunities for fostering individual sustainable practices and enhancing societal resilience. An online survey was conducted in Germany (n = 571, May 2023) to investigate sustainable behavior dynamics (mobility, energy-saving, and shopping habits) and to identify segments reflecting behavioral shifts. We found relative stability in sustainable mobility choices compared to pre-crisis times, with a tendency towards reduction, as well as an overall increase in energy-saving and sustainable shopping habits. Factor analyses revealed that sustainable mobility behavior (SMB) and sustainable consumer practices (SCP) formed two separate domains. Cluster analyses further identified four segments within each domain, each exhibiting unique behavioral patterns compared to pre-crisis practices. Examining individual variables, adopting more sustainable mobility practices was associated with sociodemographic factors (income, education, and area of living), higher levels of environmental awareness, institutional trust, and increased risk perceptions. Sociodemographic variables had less influence on sustainable consumer practices. Here, higher levels of knowledge, climate change awareness, trust, and risk perceptions played a significant role. Our findings highlight the importance of separately considering behavioral domains in understanding crises-induced changes in sustainability practices. Moreover, it is important to consider specific individual factors and to develop tailored interventions and policies to promote sustainable practices during volatile times.

Mobility attitudes and urban form: shaping public transport and shared mobility choices in Dubai and Lahore

ABSTRACT Urban mobility in the Global South presents unique challenges for public transport (PT) and emerging shared mobility (SM) services influenced by socio-economic factors, mobility attitudes, and urban form. This study examines the factors shaping mode choice behavior between PT and SM services in four communities each in Dubai and Lahore. Additionally, it analyses the impact of primary daily activities on PT and SM preferences in both cities. Data from 1,653 Dubai and 1,603 Lahore residents were analyzed using four binary logistic regression models. Results indicate that socio-demographic factors (age, gender, household car ownership, driver’s license possession, education level, and weekly commuting trips) and mobility attitudes (ride-sharing, ride-hailing, pro-personal car) significantly influence PT and SM choices. Key determinants vary by neighborhood type, including link-node ratio, intersection and road length density, and car and PT commute times. The influence of primary daily activities (work or study) on the choice of PT and SM modes was found to be moderate in Dubai. The study highlights the need for tailored urban and transport policies to promote sustainable modes, considering neighborhood characteristics and demographics.

Exploring bike-commuter habits through data physicalisation engagement

ABSTRACT Engagement with real-time GPS data presents an obvious avenue towards behaviour change for sustainable mobility choices, as tracking human activity patterns becomes more ubiquitous. However, tracking data in visual form does not invite the quality of engagement that data physicalisations afford. In this blended method experiment, we study bike-commuter habits by combining data tracking, ethnographic studies and data physicalisation. We invited 12 everyday bicycle commuters to track their mobility patterns through an app, to be video shadowed on their daily commute and finally to engage in workshops with different data physicalisations based on the personal mobility data collected. We employ an analytic framework to indicate how the participant engagements match the theories of Flow State, Play Moods and Small Beginnings. The results of the study show that there is a potential for engaging local communities in reflecting on their day-to-day mobility choices through active engagement with data physicalisations. We also suggest that the framework can be used to develop facilitation practices to further enhance data physicalisation engagement and deepen insights.

Promoting Sustainable Mobility: A Walkability Analysis for School Zone Safety

Promoting sustainable mobility and planning walkable school zones is a pressing priority, as it involves the movement of Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs), such as children aged 5–19, along with adult companions, parents, and school staff or faculty. If these children have a safe walking experience today, they will grow up to become ambassadors of sustainable mobility. In this study, several school zone areas were considered in the capital city of India, Delhi. To conduct a comprehensive walkability analysis, three distinct methods were employed: a stakeholder survey, an evaluation of existing walkable corridors, and a microscopic simulation using the Social Force Model (SFM). The limited focus on school zone safety issues in developing nations presents a case for studying the specific concerns of the school zone pedestrians, aiming to assess the magnitude of the problem, provide design centric solutions, and pick an efficient solution for implementation. The results highlight the parameters influencing pedestrian safety in school zones and their effect on pedestrian attributes. This research work can be replicated for school zone safety assessments across the world. This study will benefit the policymakers, urban planners, local government agencies, and traffic management professionals by assisting them in evaluating the walkability of school zones and promoting sustainable mobility choices.

Is patella facet arthritis a contraindication to unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: Current concepts

Medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) has increased in popularity for the ​treatment of end-stage anteromedial osteoarthritis in part secondary to its quicker recovery, improved function, and decreased risk of medical complications over total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, despite the success of medial UKA, dilemma still exists over certain patient characteristics as to suitability for undergoing the procedure. In addition to patient age, body mass index (BMI), and the presence, or lack thereof, of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), one of the most contentious issues surrounding suitability for medial UKA is the preoperative status of the patellofemoral joint (PFJ). This review aims to look at the historical factors leading to the current dilemma as well as recent evidence surrounding anterior knee pain and preoperative PFJ arthritis on the survivability and outcomes of medial UKA. This article will also evaluate other PFJ factors possibly affecting the outcome of medial UKA such as lateral patellar subluxation and lateral facet grooving, future perspectives that may influence the utilization of medial UKA such as cementless implants, and the choice of mobile versus fixed bearing articulations.

Can control aid in attaining sustainable goals? An improved data-informed framework to promote shared mobility

This work explores the role control theory and practices can play in nudging a virtuous shift in mobility habits (e.g. from vehicle ownership to usership), while keeping individual inclinations and needs in the (control) loop using data. To this end, an EU-wide survey is leveraged with a two-fold objective. First, a fine-grained characterization of individuals (the Sharing-DNA) is provided, dictated by the main socio-economic drivers for adopting shared mobility solutions extracted from the data. Second, a network is constructed to mimic mutual influences among individuals based on information on mobility patterns extrapolated from the EU survey. These ingredients are merged into an irreversible cascade model, representing the stepping stone for designing optimal, human-centered incentive policies to nudge the use of shared mobility services. In the quest to attain a trade-off between usage maximization and investment containment, the tuning of the design knobs is explored accounting for individuals’ centrality within the influence network. An extensive set of simulated scenarios demonstrate the potential benefits of individualized closed-loop policies in promoting sustainable mobility choices while respecting individualities, showcasing how the proposed framework can become an actionable tool for policymakers toward a more sustainable future.

Impact of COVID-19 led transition of work culture and travel to work patterns on society and environment in Delhi

Globally, COVID-19 has led to changes in daily lifestyle and travel behavior. There was a shift from in-person physical jobs to work-from-home culture, even for those jobs that required in-person presence at the job location. However, this was not true for everyone, and a majority continued to travel to work. The limited capacity of public transport services and the fear of exposure to the virus restrained people from practicing their conventional mobility choices. We explore the impact of COVID-19 on the nature of jobs and related changes in work travel patterns by population groups for Delhi using in-person surveys conducted during 2021 in six localities of Delhi. We also estimated the short- and long-term impacts of altered behavior on expenditures and equivalent CO2 emissions.As per the analysis, lower income groups, having no vehicles, with lesser qualifications, and employed as daily wagers, had limited capacity to change to work-from-home during COVID-19. We observed an increased dependency on personal motorized vehicles, leading to increased expenditures and reduced affordability. Adopting work-from-home during COVID-19 helped reduce equivalent CO2 emissions per working member by 39 %. However, as the work at the site resumes, the emissions are expected to increase. The study shows that COVID-19 led to short-term benefits, but in the long term, the externalities will likely increase. Working from home during the pandemic provides short-term benefits; the social benefits are not equally distributed, and the transport emissions shall increase in the long term.

Upscaling cargo bike sharing in cities: A comparative case study

Urban mobility transitions are essential to mitigate climate change and improve the quality of life in cities. Cargo bikes (CBs) show promise in replacing motorised vehicles due to their lower carbon intensity, space efficiency, and ability to reduce air and noise pollution. CB sharing relieves users from purchase and maintenance costs. However, it is mainly adopted by individuals with high environmental awareness. Barriers to CB sharing stem from the urban infrastructure, individual mobility choices, and the design of CB sharing organisations (CBSOs). This article analyses upscaling pathways for CB sharing, i.e., increasing their use by a broader audience and reshaping the urban mobility regime. It delivers a comparative case study analysis of two CBSOs: Grätzlrad, Vienna, and LastenVelo e.V., Freiburg. Data was collected through academic and grey literature review and 15 semi-structured interviews with CB sharing stakeholders and experts. The analytical framework is informed by strategic niche management, viewing CB sharing as a niche innovation in the urban mobility regime. The article enhances understanding of CB sharing, the interaction of CBSOs with key actors, and their scalability. CBSOs should increase the availability of shared CBs while reducing the organisational effort required from users. New ways of CB sharing, e.g., integration in shared mobility hubs, should be explored. Municipal actors play a crucial role in upscaling and ensuring that CB sharing reaches a diverse user base. The findings are useful for academia, practitioners and policymakers working with CB sharing and other sustainable urban mobility solutions.

LCxSFC Valve Technologies: Guidelines toward a Successful Online Modulation.

Online two-dimensional liquid chromatography can be used under various separation modes but is sometimes limited in terms of orthogonality, especially for the analysis of neutral compounds. The use of SFC in the second dimension offers a wide choice of mobile and stationary phases, suggesting retention properties complementary to those of the first dimension. Initial works on online LCxSFC coupling published in the literature highlighted the first difficulties of solvent compatibility or potential problems with bubbles created by CO2 in loops. The present work highlights the impact of the interface between the LC and SFC dimensions on the performance of the 2D separation. Six different configurations have been evaluated, differing by the addition of a makeup flow in the first dimension, a division, or a separation of flow paths in the second dimension. Their performances with empty loops eliminated the need for complex trapping columns, regardless of the LC mobile phase nature. Injection in partial fill mode was possible without any problems of CO2 bubble formation, solvent miscibility, pressure, or modulation repeatability in each of the studied configurations. Selected configurations even allowed for the use of a mobile phase split upstream of the valve, so that the online LCxSFC configuration could be as flexible as LCxLC instrumentation in terms of the first dimension flow rate or second dimension injected volume. The obtained results allowed for building guidelines presenting the best interfaces to set up depending on the nature of the mobile phases in both dimensions. Two applications on monomers of lignin and industrial polymers confirmed preliminary results on configuration testing and illustrated that online LCxSFC could now be easily implemented. Precision tests on retention time were conclusive and are promising for the future use of this technique in industrial routines.

Model of Sustainable Household Mobility in Multi-Modal Transportation Networks

Nowadays, urban and suburban areas face increasing environmental pressures, and encouraging sustainable transportation behaviors at the household level has become crucial. This paper presents a model of a decision support system (DSS) for promoting sustainable household mobility choices in multi-modal transport networks. The system was modeled using an enhanced Petri Net approach, allowing for the dynamic representation of complex transport networks and multi-modal journey options. The model incorporated various sustainability factors. These were combined into a single environmental impact score, which was considered alongside travel time and cost in the route optimization process. Simulation results demonstrated the DSS’s capability to guide users toward more sustainable mobility choices. The model also showed potential as a tool for policymakers to assess the impact of various sustainable transportation initiatives and infrastructure investments. This paper discussed the versatile applications of the system. It also addressed the limitations of Petri Net models in transportation systems and suggested future research directions.

Rethinking Gen-Z mobility: A comparative study of travel behavior across developed and developing nations

This paper critically reviews the prevailing generalizations in current research on Generation Z (Gen-Z) travel behavior. While various studies have characterized Gen-Z’s transportation preferences as leaning towards sustainable and technology-integrated modes of transport, this paper argues that the findings are largely based on observations from developed countries and may not accurately reflect behavior in developing countries. This paper is written using a narrative literature study approach. Through a comprehensive literature review, the paper highlights the differences in Gen-Z travel patterns across different geographical regions, emphasizing the need for context-specific analysis. The paper addresses often overlooked factors such as economic limitations, infrastructure challenges, and cultural nuances that shape mobility choices. The aim is to dissect the cohort effect and look at its validity across different socio-economic landscapes through existing literature. As such, the paper provides nuanced insights into the heterogeneity of Gen-Z travel behavior and suggests cautioning against over-generalization, as well as advocating for a more localized approach in transportation policy and planning. The paper also encourages similar research in developing countries to gain a more comprehensive understanding of Gen-Z travel behavior globally.

Application of cell phone data to monitor attendance during motor racing major event. The case of Formula One Gran Prix in Imola

The advent of connected devices, such as smartphones, has had a transformative impact on the landscape of recent years. Once privacy concerns have been addressed, data can be handled and analysed in a proficient manner to gain insights into patterns and movements, thereby influencing urban policies. It is likely that mobility and transport-related topics have been the subject of the most extensive investigation in the field of cell phone big data. While the topic of commuting patterns has been extensively researched by numerous authors, there is a paucity of literature on the monitoring of attendance during major motorsport events. Despite the predictability of crowding (tickets are sold in advance and the schedule is fixed and rigid), multiday motorsport events are disruptive in terms of traffic, overcrowding and uneasiness for hosting cities. This paper aims to address the aforementioned gap by presenting a case study of monitoring attendance during the Formula One Emilia-Romagna and Made in Italy Grand Prix, held in Imola, Italy, from 22nd to 24th April 2022. The results demonstrated the potential of data to inform the prediction of mobility choices and the planning of appropriate mobility-related policies, with the aim of reducing the impact of future events. This represents a significant challenge for public administrations and stakeholders.

Transportation Mode Choice and Sustainability

This study conducted in Bandung Regency delves into the factors influencing the choice of transportation modes for tourists and provides practical insights. Specifically, the research examines the influence of park-and-ride security, travel time savings, and travel costs on the selection of private vehicles and shuttle buses. The findings emphasize the importance of sustainable transportation facilities and efficient public transport services, offering a practical roadmap for addressing transportation needs for tourists in Bandung Regency. With a focus on the park-and-ride concept, this research identifies and analyzes the factors influencing mode choice between private vehicles and public transportation. The study was conducted in Ciwidey, a natural tourism area in Bandung Regency, which offers diverse attractions such as nature-based tourism, ancient sites, culinary experiences, and water tourism. The findings of this research aim to contribute to the improvement of sustainable transportation and mobility choices for tourists while alleviating traffic congestion and environmental impact in Bandung Regency's tourism areas.

ECO-FRIENDLY CARS’ PURCHASES: THE ROLE OF CONSUMER ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN, MONETARY POLICY, AND VALUE PERCEPTIONS

In the automotive market environment of Indonesia, a more in-depth insight into the factors that influence the purchase intention of eco-friendly cars is essential. Environmentally friendly cars are increasingly gaining attention amidst global environmental and climate change concerns. The research method used was a survey with data collection through a questionnaire distributed to 300 respondents by using purposive sampling. The measurement scale in this study used a 7-point Likert scale. Most respondents are female, comprising 56 percent, compared to 44 percent of male respondents. Most respondents with entrepreneurial backgrounds and bachelor’s degrees fall within the productive age range of 35 to 45 years. Additionally, a significant portion of the respondents earns an annual income ranging from 5 to 10 million Indonesian Rupiah. The analysis of the variance-based SEM method, PLS-SEM, shows that consumer environmental concern, monetary incentive policy measures, and perceived value significantly contribute to consumer purchase intentions. This research aims to positively contribute to advancing the eco-friendly car industry, bolster sustainable government policies, and shape consumer perceptions favorably towards greener transportation solutions. The study contributes valuable insights to this field’s existing literature and research. The empirical basis and findings derived from this research can serve as a reference for future studies on eco-friendly cars, providing a foundation for further exploration and understanding sustainable mobility choices

Disentangling the secondary school effects in the assessment of university inefficiencies

ABSTRACT The inefficacy of the Italian university system has been discussed in the relevant scientific literature, mainly using data from single universities or survey data. This paper uses the data provided by the National Student Archive related to eight cohorts of first-year students who enrolled in Italian universities between 2010 and 2018 to study the risk of dropout and churn during the 1st year. Revisiting the model of Tinto, to include in the analysis the possible effect of university services and linking each student to the high school attended before enrolment, the work has two primary aims: (i) to investigate the determinants of university failure, focusing on how strategic factors – such as students’ mobility choices, previous educational background, and university policies addressed to improve digital communication and services – affect the probability of experiencing churn or dropout; (ii) to disentangle the secondary school effect on these two outcomes by adopting a two steps procedure which relays on multilevel logistic models. Results allowed us to estimate adjusted indicators of inefficiency, which are suitable for comparisons across universities that offer degree programmes in the same disciplinary field and provide evidence on the role played by the secondary school attended in determining substantial inequalities at entrance.

Driving Change in Corporate Mobility Management— Comprehensive Perspectives on Mobility Budgets for Employee

Corporate Mobility Management (CMM) is a key part of the transformation towards sustainable mobility and has an impact on emissions and employee satisfaction. Mobility budgets (MBs), categorized as employee benefits, offer a unique solution for transforming employee mobility. This article summarizes the results of two studies and provides a comprehensive overview. Study I, a representative survey (n=994) in Germany, examines the differences between MB users (MBN) and non-users (NU). NU show longer commuting distances and a lower perception of sustainability, which underlines the transformative effect of MB. Socio-demographic nuances, including gender and socio-economic factors, further influence mobility choices. Study II focuses on three case studies presenting different MB implementations. Overall, our results underline the transformative potential of MBs regarding the change towards sustainability. Policy makers and companies should develop solutions for different socio-demographic groups, take gender preferences into account and consider the impact on commuting behavior. The presented holistic framework contributes to a more sustainable and satisfying mobility experience for workers and is in line with broader environmental goals.

The fuel of discontent? Transport poverty risks and equity concerns in French urban peripheries

A range of accessibility indicators has been developed in the past decade to evaluate equity in transportation within urban areas. Some studies have attempted to incorporate them in transport poverty metrics, focussing on insufficient access to general services and employment. While accessibility measures coupled with statistics have been effective in assessing immediate households’ vulnerability, we argue that an analysis of their adaptive capacity could contribute to a better information of local policies in the long term. This paper aims to develop a methodology for mapping transport poverty risks at the metropolitan scale, while studying the relation between urban segregation and the transport divide. We use the case study of Lyon to operationalise our method and find evidence of vulnerability patterns previously identified in the sociological literature. Beyond the sensitivity of households living in the first-crown neighbourhoods and the growing exposure of medium-income families settling in peripheral municipalities, we emphasise the importance of using mixed methodologies to better capture households’ needs and mobility choices within suburban environments. We conclude by discussing shortcomings and future developments of our research.

Learning from the evidence: Insights for regulating e-scooters

As a trending mobility choice, e-scooters have become popular in many cities. A number of authorities have initiated shared e-scooter trial schemes to assess the feasibility of the vehicles prior to enacting official legalisation. This paper aims to provide an evidence review of shared e-scooters and investigate how existing evidence may inform long-term policies. This carries significant relevance for jurisdictions that are in a conflicting position with e-scooters, such as New South Wales (NSW), Australia whose context motivates this study. The evidence review focuses on three themes derived from experience with shared e-scooters within the broader micromobility landscape, namely: safety; where shared e-scooters fit into the modal landscape; and the environmental impacts. Findings confirm that ensuring the safety of shared e-scooters requires complex solutions, which may include a clear regulatory framework for e-scooters, safety education and skill training, innovative data collection and analysis methods, and an approach to safety management that is user-based, location-based, and time-based. In terms of modal fit policymakers should encourage first and last-mile combinations with public transport, with consideration of user characteristics; while climate impact is strongly correlated to the mode replaced by e-scooter trips. The paper provides insights for policymakers on the regulation and positioning of shared e-scooters.