Incorporating Existence, Relatedness & Growth needs in transport mode choice: A hybrid choice framework

Abstract

Understanding the factors influencing travel mode choice is of great importance for promoting sustainable transport. This study proposes a coherent framework for representing travel mode choice that incorporates satisfaction of human needs and perceived functional and psychological barriers to use certain modes in an integrated choice and latent variable model (ICLV). Using data from a survey of commuters in the Greater Copenhagen Area the model framework is validated in a region with large shares of car users, public transport riders and bicyclists. The model results suggest that higher bicycle use is related to positive cycling self-concepts. Similarly, the choice of car is positively related to car self-concepts and negatively related to experiencing functional difficulties in car use. Finally, respondents with a strong focus on functional travel needs are most likely to commute using car and least using public transport. Future work will evaluate the impacts of a policy scenario including service improvements, and how they vary across user groups.