Transport priorities, risk perception and worry associated with mode use and preferences among Norwegian commuters

Authors

Trond Nordfjærn
Özlem Şimşekoğlu
Hans Brende Lind
Stig Halvard Jørgensen
Torbjørn Rundmo

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2014

Subject Area

mode - bike, mode - bus, mode - car, mode - pedestrian, mode - rail, mode - subway/metro, place - europe, planning - surveys, ridership - mode choice, ridership - perceptions, ridership - behaviour, ridership - commuting

Keywords

Safety, Car use, Public transport, Security, Active transport, Commuting

Abstract

There is currently scant research on the role of transport priorities, risk perception and worry for travel mode use and preferences. The present study aims to examine these factors in relation to mode use and preferences among Norwegian commuters. A web-based survey was conducted in a randomly obtained representative sample of daily commuters in the extended greater Oslo area (n = 690). The results showed that those who prioritized efficiency and flexibility tended to commute by car, while those who prioritized safety and comfort used public (e.g. metro, tram, and train) or active (e.g. walking and cycling) transport. In a free choice scenario, the respondents who prioritized flexibility reported a preference for using a car, whereas those who prioritized safety and comfort preferred public and active transport for their commuter travels. Risk perception of high impact events, such as terrorism and major accidents, as well as risk perception related to personal impact risks (theft, violence etc.) were related to car use on commuter travels. Transport-related worry exerted weak influences on mode use and preferences. Increased speed on rail transport and more frequent departures may be effective in reducing car use on commuter travels. Risk communication should focus on highlighting the low risk of experiencing security and safety issues in the public transport sector, and this message should be complemented by efforts to reduce the probability of negative events affecting public transport.

Rights

Permission to publish the abstract has been given by Elsevier, copyright remains with them.

Comments

Accident Analysis and prevention Home Page:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00014575

Recommended Citation

Nordfjærn, T., Şimşekoğlu, Ö., Lind, H.B., Jørgensen, S.H. & Rundmo, T. (2014). Transport priorities, risk perception and worry associated with mode use and preferences among Norwegian commuters. Accident Analysis & Prevention, Vol. 72, pp. 391–400.