PASSION AND HEART IN TRANSPORT -- A SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS ON TRANSPORT BEHAVIOR

M Jensen

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

1999

Subject Area

planning - surveys, ridership - behaviour, policy - environment, mode - rail, mode - mass transit, mode - bike, mode - car

Keywords

Transit, Surveys, Sociology, Public transit, Pollution, Mass transit, Local transit, Human behavior, Freight car utilization, Environment, Denmark, Cyclists, Car utilization (Railroads), Bicyclists, Bicycle riders, Behaviour, Behavior

Abstract

The use of private cars is still increasing and has become an integrated part of both modern society and of the life of individuals and families. It has a role to play not only as a means of transport but also in cultural and social life. One has to know and understand this whole picture if the intention is to change the pattern of transport in order to solve the environmental problems within and from the transport sector. This article is presenting the results from a research project that was dealing with these issues. The research project consists of two parts -- a qualitative as well as a quantitative study. The qualitative study is based on 20 in-depth interviews with 30 persons in all. Among other things, the interviews were used to develop types of travelers. This has created six mobility types: The passionate car drivers, the daily life car drivers, the leisure time car drivers, the cyclists/public transport users for pleasure, cyclists/public transport users for convenience, and the cyclists/public transport users of necessity. The quantitative study consists of a survey among 1000 persons based on qualitative interviews and identifying the six mobility types. The objective of the research was to discover how transport (i.e., the car) has become part of everyday life, on transport behavior, on attitudes towards transport, on environmental consciousness and -- as an important point -- on transport as integrated in modern culture. Contradictions between motoring and environment are analyzed, and some possibilities of changes in transport behavior are discussed.

Comments

Transport Policy Home Page: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/0967070X

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