Encouraging Alternative Transport Use in Adelaide: Public Perception of Traffic, Environment and Health
Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in metropolitan Adelaide. Total 381 residents were interviewed using a computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) system. Statistical analyses including Factor analysis, Pearson's correlation, and multiple logistic regressions were performed.
Results: Four factors were yielded from the analysis, including: (1) benefit awareness of alternative transport use; (2) problem awareness of traffic; (3) safety and comfort; (4) negative emotion towards public transport. We found factor 3 and 4 were positively related to annual driving distance of the participants (r=0.29, r=0.14). Both factor 1 and 2 were positively associated with acceptance of transport measures (r=0.35, r=0.13), whilst factor 3 and factor 4 was negatively associated with it (r=-0.13, r=-0.12). Participants who had high scores on benefit awareness (OR = 2.29) and problem awareness (OR = 1.87) were more likely to shift travel mode towards alternative transport, and those who had high score on safety and comfort (OR = 0.41) would be less likely to change. Furthermore, participants who drove over than 10,000 km would be less likely to reduce private car use, compared to those who drove less than 10,000 km. Moreover, bicycle usage was found as a significant predictor of intension to reduce private car use (OR = 6.46). Gender, age, annual house income and employment status were not found to be significant predictors.
Conclusion: This study indicates that it is important to focus on increasing public awareness of the health and environmental co-benefits in promoting environmental travel behaviors. It also suggests that among the set of available measures to reduce car use, education approach would be more accepted among the public.