Identifying the Attitude of Users’ Preference Toward Sustainable Transport Modes

Transportation planning professionals are continuously striving to provide a multitude of sustainable travel alternatives to the public, such as walking, cycling, and utilizing public transportation. These eco-friendly options serve as formidable competitors to private motorized vehicles, known for their high emissions of greenhouse gases. Surprisingly, despite the prevalence of private vehicles, there exists a group of road users who staunchly favour sustainable transport modes. Their motives for this preference are diverse and evolve over time, reflecting the shifting attitudes and priorities of individuals towards environmental sustainability and personal well-being. The present study investigated the impact of attitudes towards owning private vehicles and attitudes towards public transport on users’ preferences for sustainable transport modes (STM), i.e., walking, bicycling and public transport. The study examined a model of sustainable transport mode preference that can explain attitudes towards owning vehicles and public transport. The study analyses the sustainable transport mode preference derived from commuters in Nagpur, India, using a two-stage MIMIC approach (Multiple Indicator Multiple Cause model). To analyse this dataset, a two-stage MIMIC approach was employed, which combines EFA (exploratory factor analysis) and MIMIC model. The result confirms that preference for STM is majorly influenced by attitudes towards private vehicles and public transport. Although the socio-demographic of individuals should not be overlooked, they play a pivotal role in influencing attitudes towards both public and private transport modes. By examining factors influencing the preference for sustainable transport modes, policymakers and transport planners can gain insight into the importance of users’ perceptions about private and public transport in developing a sustainable transport system.