An examination of the relationship between social interactions and travel uncertainty

Recent advances in travel behaviour research hypothesise that travellers, in particular under uncertain conditions, take a number of decisions not in total independence but as members of a social network. The travel decisions could relate to a range of choices including transport mode choice and time of departure. This paper seeks to provide an answer to the following question: Do travellers, both prior and during travelling, refer to their social network when taking travel decisions in uncertain conditions? An internet-based survey was conducted with over 2000 respondents in the two United Kingdom cities of London and Glasgow. Respondents were asked to name those within their social network and to provide information on their contacts including age, gender, relationship length, car availability, and the type and frequency of social interaction. Insights are also provided from the analysis of relationships between an individual’s socio–demographic characteristics, their ego-centric social network, their social interactions and the location in which they live, through the use of clusters analysis, and how this links to two key travel behaviour aspects: who respondents would turn to in particular for advice on travel decisions, and who (and why) they would contact, if they were experiencing an uncertain situation while travelling. It is shown that the first named member of the social network member is a key person for individuals facing travel uncertainty, and that individuals will turn to others, often within their social network, for emotional as well as decision-making support. In addition, older people, those with a lower number of contacts, and those living in smaller households are more likely to decide by themselves in uncertain travel situations

Exploring the market for Compressed Natural Gas light commercial vehicles in the United Kingdom

This paper examines the potential market for natural gas as a transportation fuel in the light commercial vehicle sector in the United Kingdom. In order to understand this market and identify barriers to growth and possible solutions interviews were conducted with a number of professionals with experience in this market. These interviews were open and exploratory enabling the application of grounded theory techniques in analysis. Clear priorities for potential users were cost and carbon reduction and the main constraint a lack of refuelling infrastructure. Small scale and low cost policy interventions were identified, at national level including maintaining tax differentials; easing payload restrictions; and limited support for refuelling facilities alongside local policy initiatives, for example, restoring the exemption from the London Congestion Charge for gas vehicles, that could help to kick-start the market at least at a niche level

Trees, ground vegetation, sidewalks, cycleways: users’ preferences and economic values for different elements of an urban street—a case study in Taipei

Streets are an essential element of cities, and their design has a profound impact on their functionality to the movement of people and their well-being. This paper investigates preferences for and economic values of several street design characteristics, encompassing greenspaces (ground vegetation, trees, flowers), and walking and cycling infrastructure. A discrete choice experiment on a single case study street in Taipei, Taiwan, has revealed positive preferences for ground vegetation (and a willingness to pay—WTP—between $2.8 and$4 per year for a 1% increase in coverage), separated cycling infrastructure (with a WTP between $60 and$100 for cycleways separated from traffic), pedestrian access to road islands (WTP of $55), and the (reduced) amount of space dedicated to motor vehicles (WTP of$29 to avoid any increase). Flowers were also deemed important, but a mixed picture was obtained with respect to preference for street trees. The analysis is exploratory, on a relatively small sample of street users, but contributes to the literature on the importance of urban vegetation and walking and cycling infrastructure when designing streets and be used to draw lessons for other similarly dense urban areas in the country and wider region

A passenger's perspective of surface access issues at a UK regional airport: a case study of Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield

For environmental reasons, there is a need to reduce surface access journeys by private car, particularly 'drop-off/pick-up' trips, and to increase public transport usage. This paper examines surface access issues at the UK regional airport of Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield (RHADS), using data from an airport survey of 438 passengers. Most respondents were holiday makers travelling to-and-from RHADS by car, either via drop-off/pick-up or their own vehicle. There were five distinct passenger groups generated from cluster analysis of the attitudinal statements and the surface access mode chosen. Apart from the public transport supporters segment, the groups strongly favoured car-based surface access travel, particularly car-loving socialites and the practical drop-offs. A lack of willingness amongst passengers to change away from car travel and towards public transport for surface access journeys was identified, making it very difficult for airports to reduce the environmental impact of such trips

The impact of extreme weather conditions on long distance travel behaviour

This paper examines traveller attitudes and responses towards disruption from weather and natural events. An internet-based travel behaviour survey was conducted with more than 2000 respondents in London and Glasgow. Of these respondents, 740 reported information on over 1000 long distance trips affected by extreme weather and natural events over the previous three years. Results show respondents are generally cautious towards travelling during extreme weather events. For a slight majority in the case of air and public transport, and a greater one in the case of car, travellers did not considerably alter their travel plan following the disruption. This was explained not only by less disruptive weather conditions (with heavy snow and volcanic ash being the most disruptive) and impact, but also by the relative importance of their trips. Differences between transport modes were not substantial. Business trips sometimes appeared to give travellers more flexibility, some other times not. Origin and destination did have an impact on reaction, as well as the presence of children whilst travelling. Mixed results were obtained about socio-economic and attitudinal variables. Age in particular did not appear to have a significant effect. Whilst most respondents did acknowledge no external influence in their decision, results showed an important contribution of transport organisation staff, as well as home and mobile internet technology. A limited but still considerable number of respondents indicated their closest friends/relatives as the main influence of their decisions. The results will help planners deploy strategies to mitigate the negative effects of weather related disruptions

Analysis of the Vocational and Residential Preferences of a Rural Population: Application of an Experimental Technique to Rural Slovenia

This study applies Choice Experiments to the analysis of the relative importance of both monetary and non-monetary determinants of vocational choice and spatial labour supply. It identifies the determinants of individuals’ choice of jobs and places of residence, and provides a better understanding of how rural labour adjustments might be managed in a country in transition. The results indicate that while wages are the most important factor influencing employment choice, other determinants affecting working conditions and residence do have a counterbalancing impact on choice. Results suggest that sample respondents do appear to be relatively immobile between sectors and also in terms of migration and commuting. However, our results do identify a range of non-wage determinants that might be used to stimulate mobility

Analysis of Vocational and Residential Preferences of Rural Population: Application of an Experimental Technique to Rural Slovenia

This study represents the first application of Choice Experiments to the analysis of the monetary and non-pecuniary determinants of vocational choice and spatial labor supply. It identifies the determinants of individual's choice of jobs and place of residence, and provides a better understanding of the process of rural labor adjustments in a country in transition, Slovenia. The results indicate that the effect of wages, as the main factor influencing employment choice, is counterbalanced by other determinants affecting working conditions and residence. A considerable degree of immobility in terms of migration and commuting has been revealed. As a result, a rapid urbanisation process is unlikely to happen in the near future, according to individuals' preferences

The potential behavioural effect of personal carbon trading: results from an experimental survey

This paper contributes to the debate on the effectiveness of carbon trading schemes when contrasted with carbon taxes in reducing environmental externalities. An experimental survey explored individual's behavioural response to a personal carbon trading (PCT) scheme or a carbon tax (CT), both affecting personal transport and domestic energy choices. Responses were two-staged: first, whether to change behaviour or not, and second, how much to change. Results from the first stage indicate that those on high incomes and car users were less likely to change their behaviour, while those who had already changed their behaviour due to concern about climate change, lived in larger households or faced the CT were more likely to change. The second stage revealed fewer significant effects, the impact of already changing behaviour persisted and, in this case, those who faced PCT were likely to make greater changes. Both schemes appear to be capable of reducing individual carbon consumption; however, the evidence on the effectiveness of a PCT relative to a simpler CT is mixed and insufficient to make a strong case for such a complex scheme over a more straightforward tax

Analysis of Vocational and Residential Preferences of Rural Population: Application of an Experimental Technique to Rural Slovenia

This study represents the first application of Choice Experiments to the analysis of the monetary and non-pecuniary determinants of vocational choice and spatial labor supply. It identifies the determinants of individuals choice of jobs and place of residence, and provides a better understanding of the process of rural labor adjustments in a country in transition, Slovenia. The results indicate that the effect of wages, as the main factor influencing employment choice, is counterbalanced by other determinants affecting working conditions and residence. A considerable degree of immobility in terms of migration and commuting has been revealed. As a result, a rapid urbanisation process is unlikely to happen in the near future, according to individuals preferences.Choice experiments, labor supply, migration, rural, Slovenia, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Labor and Human Capital, J0, P0, C0,

Public acceptability of personal carbon trading and carbon tax

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges confronting the international community requiring action to achieve deep cuts in carbon emissions. The implementation of potentially uncomfortable but necessary policy measures is, though, critically dependent upon public acceptability. This paper reports a novel application of stated preference techniques to explore the influence of key design attributes on the acceptability of a personal carbon trading scheme in isolation and when compared to a carbon tax. Illustrative forecasts from the models developed indicate the importance of design attributes, especially the basis of the initial permit allocation for personal carbon trading and the use to which revenues are put for carbon tax. Results indicate that the “best” scheme designs could be acceptable to a majority of respondents