What cognitive mechanisms predict travel mode choice? A systematic review with meta-analysis

ABSTRACT

Reduced private car use can limit greenhouse gas emissions and improve public health. It is unclear, however, how promotion of alternative transport choices can be optimised. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to identify potentially modifiable cognitive mechanisms that have been related to car use and use of alternative transport modes. A qualitative synthesis of measures of potentially modifiable mechanisms based on 43 studies yielded 26 conceptually distinct mechanism categories. Meta-analyses of associations between these mechanisms and car use/non-use generated 205 effects sizes (Pearson’s r) from 35 studies. The strongest correlates of car use were intentions, perceived behavioural control, attitudes and habit. The strongest correlates of alternative transportation choices were intentions, perceived behavioural control and attitudes. Implications for researchers and policy implementation are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Travel mode
• systematic review
• meta-analysis
• car use
• transport policy

Acknowledgements

The views are those of the authors and not of Shell UK, the UK Department of Health or NIHR. Author order represents extent of contribution.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

Christin Hoffmann http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6293-3813

Charles Abraham http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0901-1975

Notes

* Systematic review

** Meta-analysis

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by funding from Shell Global Solutions (UK) and also by the UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care of the South West Peninsula (PenCLAHRC).