Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

“I’ll never stop driving my child to school”: on multimodal and monomodal car users

  • Published:
Transportation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study investigates the behavior of multimodal and monomodal car users in school trips using 1 week of travel information of 735 Iranian students between 7 and 9 years old. We develop a hybrid choice model (HCM) and contribute to the literature of school trips by: (1) exploring the effects of latent psychological factors including parental attitudes, environmental norms, preferences, and concerns on multimodality behavior, (2) mediating the role of each psychological factor as a latent variable between socioeconomic variables and modal groups in an HCM-framework, and (3) contrasting the multimodality behavior in school trips with other trip purposes discussed in transportation literature. The results show (1) unfavorable attitudes toward safety and environment are positively associated with multimodal and monomodal car use among schoolchildren, (2) latent factors play a mediating role between socioeconomic variables and modal groups. For instance, boys are negatively related to a weaker priority of safety in transport, which indirectly influences multimodality or monomodality, and (3) unlike previous multimodality studies, the age of schoolchildren, car availability, and access to public transit are not found significant predictors of multimodal car use in school trips. We also indicate that a longer travel distance is negatively related to multimodality. The findings highlight that interventions including providing contextual preconditions for walking facilities, increasing parental personal norms about reducing car use, and increasing the safety and security of walking routes could increase monomodal sustainable transport use.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Axhausen, K.W., Zimmermann, A., Schönfelder, S., Rindsfüser, G., Haupt, T.: Observing the rhythms of daily life: a six-week travel diary. Transportation 29(2), 95–124 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ben-Akiva, M., McFadden, D., Train, K., Walker, J., Bhat, C., Bierlaire, M., Daly, A.: Hybrid choice models: progress and challenges. Mark. Lett. 13(3), 163–175 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bierlaire M.: Estimating choice models with latent variables with PythonBiogeme (No. EPFL-REPORT-221361) (2016)

  • Block-Schachter, D.: The myth of the single mode man: how the mobility pass better meets actual travel demand (MSc dissertation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology), (2009)

  • Buehler, R., Hamre, A.: An examination of recent trends in multimodal travel behavior among American motorists. Int. J. Sustain. Transp. 10(4), 354–364 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buehler, R., Hamre, A.: The multimodal majority? Driving, walking, cycling, and public transportation use among American adults. Transportation 42(6), 1081–1101 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cherchi, E., Meloni, I., Ortúzar, J.D.D.: The latent effect of inertia in the choice of mode. In: 13th International Conference on Travel Behavior Research, Toronto, Canada (2013)

  • Cherchi, E.: A stated choice experiment to measure the effect of informational and normative conformity in the preference for electric vehicles. Transp. Res. Part A: Policy Pract. 100, 88–104 (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cherchi, E., Cirillo, C., de Dios Ortúzar, J.: Modelling correlation patterns in mode choice models estimated on multiday travel data. Transp. Res. Part A Policy Pract. 96, 146–153 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chlond, B.: Making People Independent from the Car-Multimodality as a Strategic Concept to Reduce CO2-Emissions. Cars and Carbon, pp. 269–293. Springer, Netherlands (2012)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • De Groot, J.I., Steg, L., Dicke, M.: Transportation trends from a moral perspective: Value orientations, norms and reducing car use. New transportation research progress, 67–91 (2008)

  • Diana, M., Mokhtarian, P.L.: Desire to change one’s multimodality and its relationship to the use of different transport means. Transp. Res. Part F: Traffic Psychol. Behav. 12(2), 107–119 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Easton, S., Ferrari, E.: Children’s travel to school—the interaction of individual, neighbourhood and school factors. Transp. Policy 44, 9–18 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ermagun, A., Samimi, A.: Promoting active transportation modes in school trips. Transp. Policy 37, 203–211 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ermagun, A., Hossein Rashidi, T., Samimi, A.: A joint model for mode choice and escort decisions of school trips. Transportmetrica A Transp. Sci. 11(3), 270–289 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ermagun, A., Levinson, D.: Intra-household bargaining for school trip accompaniment of children: a group decision approach. Transp. Res. Part A Policy Pract. 94, 222–234 (2016a)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ermagun, A., Levinson, D.: Public transit, active travel, and the journey to school: a cross-nested logit analysis. Transportmetrica A: Transp. Sci. 13, 1–14 (2016b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ermagun, A., Samimi, A.: Mode choice and travel distance joint models in school trips. Transportation 1–27. (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11116-017-9794-y

  • Fyhri, A., Hjorthol, R.: Children’s independent mobility to school, friends and leisure activities. J. Transp. Geogr. 17(5), 377–384 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Givoni, M., Rietveld, P.: The access journey to the railway station and its role in passengers’ satisfaction with rail travel. Transp. Policy 14(5), 357–365 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hedley, A.A., Ogden, C.L., Johnson, C.L., Carroll, M.D., Curtin, L.R., Flegal, K.M.: Prevalence of overweight and obesity among US children, adolescents, and adults, 1999–2002. JAMA 291(23), 2847–2850 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heinen, E., Chatterjee, K.: The same mode again? An exploration of mode choice variability in Great Britain using the National Travel Survey. Transp. Res. Part A: Policy Pract. 78, 266–282 (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  • Heinen, E., Ogilvie, D.: Variability in baseline travel behaviour as a predictor of changes in commuting by active travel, car and public transport: a natural experimental study. J. Transp. Health 3(1), 77–85 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hensher, D.A., Rose, J.M., Greene, W.H.: Applied Choice Analysis. Cambridge University Press, New York (2005)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Kamargianni, M., Polydoropoulou, A.: Hybrid choice model to investigate effects of teenagers’ attitudes toward walking and cycling on mode choice behavior. Transp. Res. Rec. J. Transp. Res. Board 2382, 151–161 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kamargianni, M., Ben-Akiva, M., Polydoropoulou, A.: Incorporating social interaction into hybrid choice models. Transportation 41(6), 1263–1285 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, J., Rasouli, S., Timmermans, H.J.: The effects of activity-travel context and individual attitudes on car-sharing decisions under travel time uncertainty: a hybrid choice modeling approach. Transp. Res. Part D Transp. Environ. 56, 189–202 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klinger, T.: Moving from monomodality to multimodality? Changes in mode choice of new residents. Transp. Res. Part A Policy Pract. 104, 221–237 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kroesen, M., van Cranenburgh, S.: Revealing transition patterns between mono-and multimodal travel patterns over time: a mover-stayer model. EJTIR 16(4), 754–771 (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuhnimhof, T., Chlond, B., von der Ruhren, S.: Users of transport modes and multimodal travel behavior steps toward understanding travelers’ options and choices. Transp. Res. Rec. J. Transp. Res. Board 1985, 40–48 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuhnimhof, T., Buehler, R., Wirtz, M., Kalinowska, D.: Travel trends among young adults in Germany: increasing multimodality and declining car use for men. J. Transp. Geogr. 24, 443–450 (2012a)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuhnimhof, T., Wirtz, M., Manz, W.: Decomposing young Germans’ altered car use patterns: lower incomes, more students, decrease in car travel by men, and more multimodality. Transp. Res. Rec. J. Transp. Res. Board 2320, 64–71 (2012b)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, S., Zhao, P.: The determinants of commuting mode choice among school children in Beijing. J. Transp. Geogr. 46, 112–121 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lind, H.B., Nordfjærn, T., Jørgensen, S.H., Rundmo, T.: The value-belief-norm theory, personal norms and sustainable travel mode choice in urban areas. J. Environ. Psychol. 44, 119–125 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maldonado-Hinarejos, R., Sivakumar, A., Polak, J.W.: Exploring the role of individual attitudes and perceptions in predicting the demand for cycling: a hybrid choice modelling approach. Transportation 41(6), 1287–1304 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McDonald, N.C.: Active transportation to school: trends among US schoolchildren, 1969–2001. Am. J. Prev. Med. 32(6), 509–516 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McDonald, N.C., Aalborg, A.E.: Why parents drive children to school: implications for safe routes to school programs. J. Am. Plan. Assoc. 75(3), 331–342 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McMillan, T.E.: Walking and urban form: modeling and testing parental decisions about children’s travel. University of California Transportation Center, Berkeley (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  • McMillan, T.E.: Urban form and a child’s trip to school: the current literature and a framework for future research. J. Plan, Lit. 19(4), 440–456 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McMillan, T.E.: The relative influence of urban form on a child’s travel mode to school. Transp. Res. Part A Policy Pract. 41(1), 69–79 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mehdizadeh, M., Nordfjaern, T., Mamdoohi, A.: The role of socio-economic, built environment and psychological factors in parental mode choice for their children in an Iranian setting. Transportation. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11116-016-9737-z

  • Mehdizadeh, M., Mamdoohi, A., Nordfjaern, T.: Walking time to school, children’s active school travel and their related factors. J. Transp. Health 6, 313–326 (2017a). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2017.01.012

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mehdizadeh, M., Nordfjaern, T., Mamdoohi, A.R., Shariat Mohaymany, A.: The role of parental risk judgements, transport safety attitudes, transport priorities and accident experiences on pupils’ walking to school. Accid. Anal. Prev. 102, 60–71 (2017b)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mitra, R., Buliung, R.N.: Exploring differences in school travel mode choice behaviour between children and youth. Transp. Policy 42, 4–11 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohammadi, B.: Effect of cellular on children walking to school with an emphasis on engineering solutions to increase desirability of walking, master’s thesis (in Farsi), Faculty of Engineering, Kharazmi University, Iran (2018)

  • Molin, E., Mokhtarian, P., Kroesen, M.: Multimodal travel groups and attitudes: a latent class cluster analysis of Dutch travelers. Transp. Res. Part A Policy Pract. 83, 14–29 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MTTO (Mashhad Traffic and Transportation Organization): Master plan study of Mashhad. Mode choice model report. (2010)

  • Nobis, C.: Multimodality: facets and causes of sustainable mobility behavior. Transp. Res. Rec. J. Transp. Res. Board 2010, 35–44 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • OECD: Environmental outlook 2002. http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/51/6/2088589.pdf (2002)

  • Ryley, T.: Use of non-motorised modes and life stage in Edinburgh. J. Transp. Geogr. 14(5), 367–375 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scheiner, J., Chatterjee, K., Heinen, E.: Key events and multimodality: a life course approach. Transp. Res. Part A: Pol. Pract. 91, 148–165 (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schlich, R., Axhausen, K.W.: Habitual travel behaviour: evidence from a six-week travel diary. Transportation 30(1), 13–36 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Şimşekoğlu, Ö., Nordfjærn, T., Rundmo, T.: The role of attitudes, transport priorities, and car use habit for travel mode use and intentions to use public transportation in an urban Norwegian public. Transp. Policy 42, 113–120 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sottile, E., Meloni, I., Cherchi, E.: Hybrid choice model to disentangle the effect of awareness from attitudes: application test of soft measures in medium size city. Case Stud. Transp. Policy 5, 400–407 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Statistical report: RDE (Rasht Department of Education) (2013)

  • STTO (Shiraz Traffic and Transportation Organization): Master plan study of Shiraz. Mode choice model report. (2009)

  • Temme, D., Paulssen, M., Dannewald, T.: Incorporating latent variables into discrete choice models-A simultaneous estimation approach using SEM software. Bus. Res. 1, 220–237 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Valeri, E., Cherchi, E.: Does habitual behavior affect the choice of alternative fuel vehicles? Int. J. Sustain. Transp. 10(9), 825–835 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Verplanken, B., Aarts, H., Van Knippenberg, A.: Habit, information acquisition, and the process of making travel mode choices. Eur. J. Social Psychol. 27(5), 539–560 (1997)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vij, A., Carrel, A., Walker, J. L.: Capturing modality styles using behavioral mixture models and longitudinal data. In 2nd International Choice Modelling Conference, Leeds. (2011)

  • Vij, A., Walker, J.L.: How, when and why integrated choice and latent variable models are latently useful. Transp. Res. Part B: Methodol. 90, 192–217 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yazdanpanah, M., Hadji Hosseinlou, M.: The impact of perception toward the built environment in Airport access mode choice using hybrid choice modeling. J. Adv. Transp. (2017). https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/8268701

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank two anonymous reviewers and the associate editor, Professor Elisabetta Cherchi, for their constructive comments.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Transportation Planning Department, School of Civil Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran

    Milad Mehdizadeh

  2. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Mississippi State University, 501 Hardy Road, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA

    Alireza Ermagun

Authors
  1. Milad Mehdizadeh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Alireza Ermagun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

MM Research design, Literature review, Analysis and Modeling, Manuscript writing. AE Content planning, Manuscript writing and Editing, Modeling.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Milad Mehdizadeh.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflict of interest to report.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mehdizadeh, M., Ermagun, A. “I’ll never stop driving my child to school”: on multimodal and monomodal car users. Transportation 47, 1071–1102 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11116-018-9949-5

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11116-018-9949-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation