Abstract
Understanding the link between mode choice and travel satisfaction is essential for promoting sustainable travel by expanding utility theory to include also the eudaimonic value of travel. The study focuses on the hypothesis that more then it’s functional value of arriving from A to B, mode choice creates travel experiences that answer high-order needs such as relatedness, autonomy and competence. This study enhances the framework for representing travel mode choice by incorporating the model of human needs as the missing link between mode choice and travel satisfaction. By developing and analysing a large-scale survey from the Greater Copenhagen Area in Denmark, this study empirically proves that commuting mode choice relates to travel satisfaction by answering functional, relatedness and growth needs. The Greater Copenhagen area represents a region where transit, bicycle and car each have large modal shares, hence enabling to validate the approach in a multi-modal environment. Higher bicycle satisfaction relates positively to cycling self-concepts and self-efficacy and negatively to car self-concepts. Greater car use satisfaction increases with car self-concepts and transit use difficulties, and decreases with functional difficulties in car use and better cycling self-efficacy. Higher transit satisfaction mainly relates to experiencing difficulties with other modes. These insights can be used when formulating transport policies and prioritising resources aimed at achieving sustainable mobility patterns.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aarts, H., Verplanken, B., van Knippenberg, A.: Habit and information use in travel mode choices. Acta Psychol. 96, 1–14 (1997)
Abou-Zeid, M., Witter, R., Bierlaire, M., Kaufmann, V., Ben-Akiva, M.: Happiness and travel mode switching: findings from a Swiss public transportation experiment. Transp. Policy 19, 93–104 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2011.09.009
Alderfer, C.P.: An empirical test of a new theory of human needs. Organ. Behav. Hum. Perform. 4, 142–175 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1016/0030-5073(69)90004-X
Bandura, A.: Self-efficacy: toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychol. Rev. 84, 191–215 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.84.2.191
Bergstad, C.J., Gamble, A., Gärling, T., Hagman, O., Polk, M., Ettema, D., Friman, M., Olsson, L.E.: Subjective well-being related to satisfaction with daily travel. Transportation 38(1), 1–15 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11116-010-9283-z
Brown, T.: Confirmatory Factor Analysis for Applied Research. The Guilford Press, New York (2006)
Browne, M.W., Cudeck, R.: Alternative ways of assessing model fit. Sociol. Methods Res. 21, 230–258 (1992)
Carrus, G., Passafaro, P., Bonnes, M.: Emotions, habits and rational choices in ecological behaviours: the case of recycling and use of public transportation. J. Environ. Psychol. 28, 51–62 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2007.09.003
Cherchi, E., Cirillo, C.: Understanding variability, habit and the effect of long period activity plan in modal choices: a day to day, week to week analysis on panel data. Transportation (Amst) 41, 1245–1262 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11116-014-9549-y
Chiu, H., Lin, N.: A service quality measurement derived from the theory of needs. Serv. Ind. J. 24, 187–204 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1080/02642060412331301202
de Oña, J., de Oña, R.: Quality of service in public transport based on customer satisfaction surveys: a review and assessment of methodological approaches. Transp. Sci. 49, 605–622 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2014.0544
de Oña, J., de Oña, R., Eboli, L., Mazzulla, G.: Index numbers for monitoring transit service quality. Transp. Res. Part A Policy Pract. 84, 18–30 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2015.05.018
De Vos, J.: Analysing the effect of trip satisfaction on satisfaction with the leisure activity at the destination of the trip, in relationship with life satisfaction. Transportation (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11116-017-9812-0
De Vos, J., Mokhtarian, P.L., Schwanen, T., Van Acker, V., Witlox, F.: Travel mode choice and travel satisfaction: bridging the gap between decision utility and experienced utility. Transportation (Amst). 43, 771–796 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11116-015-9619-9
De Vos, J., Schwanen, T., Van Acker, V., Witlox, F.: Travel and subjective well-being: a focus on findings, methods and future research needs. Transp. Rev. 33, 421–442 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1080/01441647.2013.815665
De Vos, J., Witlox, F.: Do people live in urban neighbourhoods because they do not like to travel? Analysing an alternative residential self-selection hypothesis. Travel Behav. Soc. 4, 29–39 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tbs.2015.12.002
De Vos, J., Witlox, F.: Travel satisfaction revisited. On the pivotal role of travel satisfaction in conceptualising a travel behaviour process. Transp. Res. Part A Policy Pract. 106, 364–373 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2017.10.009
Delbosc, A., Currie, G.: Causes of youth licensing decline: a synthesis of evidence. Transp. Rev. 33(3), 271–290 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1080/01441647.2013.801929
Ettema, D., Gärling, T., Eriksson, L., Friman, M., Olsson, L.E., Fujii, S.: Satisfaction with travel and subjective well-being: development and test of a measurement tool. Transp. Res. Part F Traffic Psychol. Behav. 14, 167–175 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2010.11.002
Friman, M., Gärling, T., Ettema, D., Olsson, L.E.: How does travel affect emotional well-being and life satisfaction? Transp. Res. Part A Policy Pract. 106, 170–180 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2017.09.024
Gärling, T., Eek, D., Loukopoulos, P., Fujii, S., Johansson-Stenman, O., Kitamura, R., Pendyala, R., Vilhelmson, B.: A conceptual analysis of the impact of travel demand management on private car use. Transp. Policy 9, 59–70 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0967-070X(01)00035-X
Gärling, T., Axhausen, K.W.: Introduction: habitual travel choice. Transportation (Amst) 30, 1–11 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021230223001
Haubold, H. (2014): Commuting: who pays the bill? Overview of fiscal regimes for commuting in Europe and recommendations for establishing a level playing-field. European Cyclists’ Federation. https://ecf.com/sites/ecf.com/files/141117-Commuting-Who-Pays-The-Bill_2.pdf (2014)
Hu, L., Bentler, P.M.: Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Struct. Equ. Model. A Multidiscip. J. 6, 1–55 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1080/10705519909540118
Jensen, O.B.: Flows of meaning, cultures of movements—urban mobility as meaningful everyday life practice. Mobilities 4, 139–158 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1080/17450100802658002
Kaplan, S., de Abreu e Silva, J., Di Ciommo, F.: The relationship between young people׳s transit use and their perceptions of equity concepts in transit service provision. Transp. Policy 36, 79–87 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2014.08.004
Kaplan, S., Wrzesinska, D., Prato C. (2018a): Role of culture and needs in cycling habits of female immigrants from a driving-oriented to a cycling-oriented country. Paper number 18-02033, accepted for publication at the Transport Research Review (2018a)
Kaplan, S., Wrzesinska, D., Prato C. (2018b): The role of existence, relatedness, and growth needs in the intention to use conventional and electric bike sharing in a Driving-Oriented Country. Proceedings of the TRB annual meeting. Paper number 18-02044 (2018b)
Kuhnimhof, T., Armoogum, J., Buehler, R., Dargay, J., Denstadli, J.M., Yamamoto, T.: Men shape a downward trend in car use among young adults—evidence from six industrialized countries. Transp. Rev. 32(6), 761–779 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1080/01441647.2012.736426
Kline, P.: An Easy Guide to Factor Analysis. Routledge, London (1994)
Lanzendorf, M.: Key events and their effect on mobility biographies: the case of childbirth. Int. J. Sustain. Transp. 4(5), 272–292 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1080/15568310903145188
Larsen, M.K. (2010): Analysis of the Danish Travel Survey data on private and public transportation. In: Annual transport conference at Aalborg University. ISSN 1603-9696.http://www.trafikdage.dk/papers_2010/406_MarieKLarsen.pdf (2010)
Lucas, K.: Transport and social exclusion: where are we now? Transp. Policy 20, 105–113 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2012.01.013
Maslow, A.H.: A theory of human motivation. Psychol. Rev. 50, 370–396 (1943). https://doi.org/10.1037/h0054346
Mateo-Babiano, I.: Pedestrian’s needs matters: examining Manila’s walking environment. Transp. Policy 45, 107–115 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2015.09.008
Miller, M.B.: Coefficient alpha: a basic introduction from the perspectives of classical test theory and structural equation modeling. Struct. Equ. Model. 2, 255–273 (1995)
Mokhtarian, P.L., Salomon, I.: How derived is the demand for travel? Some conceptual and measurement considerations. Transp. Res. Part A 35(8), 695–719 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0965-8564(00)00013-6
Morris, E.A., Guerra, E.: Mood and mode: does how we travel affect how we feel? Transportation 42, 25–43 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11116-014-9521-x
Muthén, L.K., Muthén, B.O.: Mplus User’s Guide. Muthén & Muthén, Los Angeles (2017)
Nunnally, J.C., Bernstein, I.C., ten Berge, J.M.: Psychometric Theory. McGraw-Hill, New York (1967)
Ory, D.T., Mokhtarian, P.L.: When is getting there half the fun? Modeling the liking for travel. Transp. Res. Part A 39(2–3), 97–123 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2004.09.006
Salvá, J.R., Sierra, M., Alanis, A.K.J., Kaplan, S., Prato, C.G.: Role of Social climate in habitual transit use by young adults to work and leisure activities. Transp. Res. Rec. J. Transp. Res. Board 2512, 22–30 (2015). https://doi.org/10.3141/2512-03
Schlich, R., Axhausen, K.W.: Habitual travel behaviour: evidence from a six-week travel diary. Transportation (Amst) 30, 13–36 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021230507071
Shliselberg, R., Givoni, M.: Motility as a policy objective. Transp. Rev. 38(3), 279–297 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1080/01441647.2017.1355855
Sheller, M., Urry, J.: The new mobilities paradigm. Environ. Plan. A 38, 207–226 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1068/a37268
Sigurdardottir, S.B., Kaplan, S., Møller, M.: The motivation underlying adolescents׳ intended time-frame for driving licensure and car ownership: a socio-ecological approach. Transp. Policy 36, 19–25 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2014.07.001
Sigurdardottir, S.B., Kaplan, S., Møller, M., Teasdale, T.W.: Understanding adolescents’ intentions to commute by car or bicycle as adults. Transp. Res. Part D Transp. Environ. 24, 1–9 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2013.04.008
Singleton, P.A.: Walking (and cycling) to well-being: modal and other determinants of subjective well-being during the commute. Travel Behav. Soc. (2018). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tbs.2018.02.005
Spotswood, F., Chatterton, T., Tapp, A., Williams, D.: Analysing cycling as a social practice: an empirical grounding for behaviour change. Transp. Res. Part F Traffic Psychol. Behav. 29, 22–33 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2014.12.001
St-Louis, E., Manaugh, K., van Lierop, D., El-Geneidy, A.: The happy commuter: a comparison of commuter satisfaction across modes. Transp. Res. Part F Traffic Psychol. Behav. 26, 160–170 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2014.07.004
Steg, L.: Can public transport compete with the private car? IATSS Res. 27, 27–35 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0386-1112(14)60141-2
Steg, L.: Car use: lust and must. Instrumental, symbolic and affective motives for car use. Transp. Res. Part A Policy Pract. 39, 147–162 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2004.07.001
Susilo, Y.O., Cats, O.: Exploring key determinants of travel satisfaction for multi-modal trips by different traveler groups. Transp. Res. Part A Policy Pract. 67, 366–380 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2014.08.002
Taniguchi, A., Grääs, C., Friman, M.: Satisfaction with travel, goal achievement, and voluntary behavioral change. Transp. Res. Part F Traffic Psychol. Behav. 26, 10–17 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2014.06.004
Van Acker, V., Van Wee, B., Witlox, F.: When transport geography meets social psychology: toward a conceptual model of travel behaviour. Transp. Rev. 30, 219–240 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1080/01441640902943453
van der Kloof, A., Bastiaanssen, J., Martens, K.: Bicycle lessons, activity participation and empowerment. Case Stud. Transp. Policy. 2, 89–95 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cstp.2014.06.006
van Lierop, D., Badami, M.G., El-geneidy, A.M.: What influences satisfaction and loyalty in public transport? A review of the literature. Transp. Rev. 38(1), 52–72 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1080/01441647.2017.1298683
van Lierop, D., El-Geneidy, A.: Enjoying loyalty: the relationship between service quality, customer satisfaction, and behavioral intentions in public transit. Res. Transp. Econ. 59, 50–59 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.retrec.2016.04.001
Ye, R., Titheridge, H.: Satisfaction with the commute: The role of travel mode choice, built environment and attitudes. Transp. Res. Part D Transp. Environ. 52, 535–547 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2016.06.011
Acknowledgements
The study is supported by the Ph.D. dissertation scholarship financed by the Danish Metro Company, the IPTOP research project (Integrated Public Transport Optimisation and Planning) funded by Innovation Fund Denmark, and EU Cost action 1209 for Transport Equity Analysis. The authors wish to thank three anonymous reviewers for their contribution to improve earlier versions of this manuscript.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
All authors contributed jointly to this study. The idea for the study, the application of the ERG theory was initiated by Sigal Kaplan and developed in collaboration with Yoram Shiftan. Floridea di Ciommo hosted Jesper Ingvardson for a short term scientific mission (STSM) in which he developed the survey under joint supervision with Sigal Kaplan. The data analysis was conducted by Jesper Ingvardson under the supervision of Sigal Kaplan and João de Abreu e Silva, who hosted Jesper Ingvardson for an STSM and advised on the paper writing and revision process. The data collection was facilitated and the Danish aspects of the study were advised by Otto Anker Nielsen. The paper writing was conducted by Sigal Kaplan and Jesper Ingvardson and assisted by comments from the other co-authors.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bláfoss Ingvardson, J., Kaplan, S., de Abreu e Silva, J. et al. Existence, relatedness and growth needs as mediators between mode choice and travel satisfaction: evidence from Denmark. Transportation 47, 337–358 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11116-018-9886-3
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11116-018-9886-3