Understanding the combined influence of attitudes on commuters’ travel choice behaviour in developing countries

Abstract

Climate change has emerged as one of the main environmental challenges facing the world in the 21st century. According to COP26, transport contributed 25% of worldwide carbon emissions from all sources. However, in the context of developing countries, specifically the Southeast Asia region, how environmental awareness influences travellers’ choice of mode(s), whilst also considering the interplay of a wide range of other factors, is under-researched. This research aims to investigate the interrelationship between commuters' attitudes towards perceptions of the environment, accessibility, convenience, and safety and the effect they have on traveller behaviour and choice of mode(s). A questionnaire was designed and piloted before posting on social media and operators’ websites. Self-completed questionnaires were supplemented by direct interviews to provide a representative sample of the population of the Bangkok Metropolitan Region (BMR). In 2022, between April and May, 648 useful responses were collected. Descriptive analysis of the data led to basic understandings of the demographics and characteristics of the commuter. The descriptive analysis showed that wasthe most popular in BMR driving cars for commuting, followed by urban rail. Four components were identified from the Principal Component Analysis, namely “Proenvironment and health”, “Pro-environmentally friendly cars”, “Pro-safe”, and “Pro-private vehicle”. The component scores were further investigated with attention to the respondents’ gender, age, and self-identified mode of transport. Age and identity of transport mode strongly influenced the components, particularly active transport users. PCA components were fed into the regression model to study variable influences. Six algorithms were developed by using Multinomial Logistic Regression each targeting a particular cohort of the population to inform mode shift from private vehicles and support government policy, public transport operation, and infrastructure investment decisions. The statistically significant variablesthat influenced mode choice of transport included travel cost, time, attitudes toward environmental and safety, and socio-demographics such as age and car ownership. Subsequently, the models were demonstrated to inform the potential to switch mode from the use of private cars and thus to inform policy. For example, a short-term policy may aim to increase cost of car ownership and use making bus alternatives more attractive. This could be achieved by levying a tax for buying and/or use of car, by increasing fuel prices and/or parking charges. Long-term policies such as implantation of road user charging, regulation in purchasing a new car, improving infrastructure to make public transport systems more accessible should be introduced as part of a national development plan, perhaps as measures to meet carbon targets. The research demonstrated the importance of changing public attitudes through education and specifically raising awareness of the environmental benefits of the use of public transport. This research also revealed a much higher shift away from car to active transport mode or train depended on the distance travelled heightening the need for integrated transport policies that deliver sustainability in the long-term. The models whilst specifically providing scientific evidence that informs policies for travel in Bangkok, the methodological approach is transferable to other developing countries.