About the project
Transport symbolism, which refers to what a user perceives their travel mode says about them, is an important influencer of modal choice. This project builds upon qualitative work, by quantitatively examining how different transport users across varying cultures rate symbolic considerations relative to instrumental measures when choosing a travel mode.
The symbolism of a mode differs across cultural groups across and within nations, and this can have implications for transport policy transfer across groups and between nations. Importing policies from countries such as the Netherlands to encourage walking and cycling may have little effect on car drivers in another nation, if in the recipient nation the non-motorised modes signify having little choice. This could have significant consequences when trying to address global air quality issues.
This project seeks to build upon the existing body of academic literature on transport symbolism and mode choice by quantitatively addressing two key questions:
- to what degree do different users, across varying cultural groups, rate symbolic considerations relative to instrumental measures when choosing a travel mode? does this vary by trip purpose, such as leisure or work, and the location, such as inner urban or suburban areas?
- to what extent do instrumental, symbolic, and affective considerations operate discretely or collectively as a chain?
This project will use this work and that of others, to develop scales and attitudinal surveys, which in turn will be undertaken online across different groups within identified nations. You will liaise with other researchers domestically and overseas. For key groups, further qualitative work is a possibility. The findings of this study will assist the development of transport choice models and sustainable transport policies.
