HOUSEHOLD CHOICES OF CAR-USE REDUCTION MEASURES

This paper presents research that investigated what car-use reduction measures (CURMs) are perceived by households to be feasible if their goal is to reduce car driving. Two separate studies were conducted. The first study requested 770 randomly selected respondents to rate how likely they would be to choose the different CURMs. In the second study, it was determined in interviews what choices households would make in forming CURMs, followed by 1-week travel diaries that were collected to assess whether these intentions were implemented. A random sample of 113 multiperson households participated in the second study. Study 1 results suggested that for shopping trips, choosing closer stores and trip chaining are more likely to be chosen than any other measure; a similar pattern was observed for leisure trips. Study 2 respondents expected to be able to change approximately 10% of their car trips, however, they made many more trips than they had expected. Constraints, perceived costs, and preferences for different CURMs may all play a role in making choices. Further research should explore these roles for policy implications