Clearing the path to transcend barriers to walking: Analysis of associations between perceptions and walking behaviour

Bozovic, T; Stewart, T; Hinckson, E; Smith, M

Abstract

Walkability is much studied, but the relative importance of perceptions and motivations is still not consensual. This study took a holistic approach to examine the comparative importance of a range of possible perceptions, motivations and individual characteristics on walking levels. Data from Auckland Transport's Active Modes online survey (AT survey, N = 4,114) captured environmental perceptions and travel behaviour. Machine learning (gradient boosting) was used to predict walking levels from perceptual data and individual characteristics and determine the relative importance of each variable. Strong predictors of walking included the use of public transport, walking perceived as saving money and avoiding parking hassle, age group, and overall satisfaction with walking. Surprisingly, the importance of expected dimensions such as perceived availability of destinations or internal motivations was null in the general model. These findings suggest a more holistic view of walking behaviour is needed, one that moves beyond the pure availability of destinations.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 2, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Jan 30, 2021
• Publication Date: Feb 1, 2021
• Deposit Date: Aug 3, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 31, 2023
• Journal: Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour
• Print ISSN: 1369-8478
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 77
• Pages: 197-208
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2021.01.003
• Keywords: Applied Psychology; Transportation; Automotive Engineering; Civil and Structural Engineering; Walking; Barriers; Perceptions; Car-dominated environment; Motivations;Walkability; Active travel
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/9710358
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1369847821000036?via%3Dihub
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: Clearing the path to transcend barriers to walking: Analysis of associations between perceptions and walking behaviour; Journal Title: Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2021.01.003; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.