Travel Preferences and Choices of University Students and the Role of Active Travel

Abstract

<p>The increased focus on the importance of active travel within a community to improved social, economic and environmental sustainability has facilitated discussion and questions about how to best encourage those who take a personal automobile to switch to an active mode of travel. In attempting to answer this question, it is first important to understand that there are a variety of factors that impact an individual’s decision to take a certain mode of transportation. This study attempts to determine which factors have the largest impact on students’ decisions to take an active mode of transportation within a university setting.</p> <p>Through investigation of socio-demographic and attitudinal variables of university students, a comparison of ideal versus actual commute time was modeled. Regression analysis was applied to test the relationship between the ratio of ideal to actual commute time and the individual’s socio-demographic variables and attitudinal scores. Research using discrete choice analysis further provided more detailed evidence of specific factors affecting student’s decision to choose an active mode of travel based on the level of utility they obtained by each mode as a function of attitudes, the built environment and socio-demographic variables.</p> <p>The results obtained from this study contribute insight and support for initiatives aimed to increasing active modes of travel by students in university settings. Recommendations are provided that can be adopted at the institutional and municipal level of both policy and planning to increase uptake of active modes of travel.</p>