Household choices of car-use reduction measures

The present research investigated what car-use reduction measures are perce ived by households to be feasible if their goal is to reduce car driving. I n Study 1 a number of such measures were included in a survey questionnaire requesting a total of 770 randomly selected respondents to rate how likely they would be to choose the different measures. The ratings suggested that for shopping trips choosing closer stores and trip chaining are more likel y to be chosen than any-other measure. A similar pattern was observed for l eisure trips. Switching to public transport was the most likely choice for work trips. Women were more likely than men to choose public transport and trip chaining, whereas men were more likely than women to choose motorbike/ moped. Choices of car pooling, biking, and motorbike/moped decreased with a ge. In Study 2 it was determined in interviews what choices households woul d make in forming car-use reduction intentions, then 1-week travel diaries were collected to assess whether their car-use intentions were implemented. A random sample of 113 multiperson households participated. They expected to be able to change approximately 10% of their car trips. However they mad e many more trips than they had expected. Constraints, perceived costs, and preferences for different car-use reduction measures may all play a role f or the choices. Further research needs to disentangle these roles since the ir implications for policies are different. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.