The happy commuter: A comparison of commuter satisfaction across modes

Authors

Evelyne St-Louis
Kevin Manaugh
Dea van Lierop
Ahmed El-Geneidy, McGill University

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2014

Subject Area

mode - bike, mode - bus, mode - car, mode - pedestrian, mode - rail, mode - subway/metro, planning - surveys, ridership - behaviour, ridership - mode choice, ridership - perceptions

Keywords

Commuter satisfaction, Behaviour, Mode comparison, Travel survey, Personal preferences, Social factors

Abstract

Understanding how levels of satisfaction differ across transportation modes can be helpful to encourage the use of active as well as public modes of transportation over the use of the automobile. This study uses a large-scale travel survey to compare commuter satisfaction across six modes of transportation (walking, bicycle, automobile, bus, metro, commuter train) and investigates how the determinants of commuter satisfaction differ across modes. The framework guiding this research assumes that external and internal factors influence satisfaction: personal, social, and attitudinal variables must be considered in addition to objective trip characteristics. Using ordinary least square regression technique, we develop six mode-specific models of trip satisfaction that include the same independent variables (trip and travel characteristics, personal characteristics, and travel and mode preferences). We find that pedestrians, train commuters and cyclists are significantly more satisfied than drivers, metro and bus users. We also establish that determinants of satisfaction vary considerably by mode, with modes that are more affected by external factors generally displaying lower levels of satisfaction. Mode preference (need/desire to use other modes) affects satisfaction, particularly for transit users. Perceptions that the commute has value other than arriving at a destination significantly increases satisfaction for all modes. Findings from this study provide a better understanding of determinants of trip satisfaction to transport professionals who are interested in this topic and working on increasing satisfaction among different mode users.

Rights

Permission to publish the abstract has been given by Elsevier, copyright remains with them.

Comments

Transportation Research Part F Home Page:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/13698478

Recommended Citation

St-Louis, E., Manaugh, K., van Lierop, D. & El-Geneidy, A. (2014). The happy commuter: A comparison of commuter satisfaction across modes. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, Vol. 26, Part A, pp. 160–170.