SUBSTITUTING OTHER TRANSPORT MODES FOR CARS

A short research project on the potential for using transport modes other than the car is described in this article. The study was sponsored by the Dutch Ministry of Transport and performed by the Institute for Social and Behavioral Studies (ITS) Nijmegen University. It is assumed in principle that certain types of journey can be made by modes of transport other than the car. This theory might provide the Dutch Ministry of Transport with a starting point from which to develop a masterplan for promoting selective car use. Car using households were selected to answer questions over the telephone. There were over 1,000 successful interviews. Households also kept a car use diary for one week. It emerged that substitution of the car by other transport modes is potentially rather high. People do not exclude an alternative choice, or do not heavily object, for 60% of their car trips. So, a policy which discourages car use has great potential. Even when taking into account an unwillingness to change travel mode, there are still 40% of car trips left for police intervention. A substantial number of car trips can be made by bicycle. Public transport and carpooling are lagging behind. However, when expressed in travel time or distance travelled, the importance of the three alternatives is the same. On balance, this indicates the importance of a three pronged policy: promotion of the bicycle, of public transport and of carpooling. Public transport (especially the bus) has to be considered as an alternative choice. This is related to the high number of trips within cities that can be made by this travel mode. The potential for rail travel cannot be neglected either. A substantial number of car users interviewed (25%), would only reduce car use if compelled to do so by severe policy measures. On the other hand, half of those interviewed said they would be prepared to reduce car use voluntarily.