The Effect of Economic, Social and Psychological Factors on Transport Behavior of Polish Citizens. A Conjoint Analysis Approach

Table of Contents

Introduction

CHAPTER 1 Challenges of Mobility

1.1. The Genesis and Consequences of Car-Based Mobility Systems

1.2. Sustainability and Sustainable Mobility

1.3. Sustainable Mobility of Today and the Future

CHAPTER 2 Rationality and Irrationality

2.1. Behavioral Decision Making

2.2. Socio-Cognitive Models

2.3. Models Focusing on Habits and Feelings

2.4. Norms and Prosocial Behavior

2.5. Behavior and the Acceptance of Innovations

2.6. Five Psychological Perspectives Explaining Behavior

2.7. Human Motivation Directing Behavior

2.8. Personality and Emotions Directing Behavior

CHAPTER 3 Methodology

3.1. Preference Theories and Variants of Conjoint Analysis

3.2. Discussion of the Variants of the Conjoint Analysis

3.3. Modeling Strategies and Estimation Techniques

3.4. Discussion of the Modeling Strategies and Estimation Techniques

3.5. Study Design

3.6. Data Collection and Sampling

CHAPTER 4 Results

4.1. Results on Socio-Demographics and Travel Aspects

4.2. Results on Experienced Feelings (Mental State and Life Circumstances)

4.3. Results related to Life Situation and Mental State (Experienced Feelings)

4.4. Results on Attitudes and Personality and PLS-SEM Model

Conclusions

References

Research Objectives and Themes

The thesis explores the extent to which respondents' stated preferences in hypothetical transit scenarios align with their actual daily transportation behavior. The study specifically investigates the influence of economic, social, and psychological factors on mode choice among Polish citizens, utilizing the Engel-Blackwell-Miniard (EBM) framework to understand drivers of sustainable and non-sustainable travel habits.

• The impact of psychological states and experienced feelings on daily commute mode choice.
• The role of policy instruments, such as employer incentives and penalties, in driving the transition to sustainable transport.
• The influence of personal attributes, including driver's license possession, car-sharing experience, and gender, on travel behavior.
• Application of the Conjoint Analysis method and Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to validate behavioral hypotheses.
• Evaluation of habits and personality traits in the context of persistent car dependency.

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Summary of Chapters

CHAPTER 1 Challenges of Mobility: Discusses the historical development of car-based society, the environmental impacts of mass transit, and global sustainability efforts.

CHAPTER 2 Rationality and Irrationality: Examines decision-making theories, distinguishing between rational choice theory and habit-based, emotional, and socio-cognitive drivers of behavior.

CHAPTER 3 Methodology: Explains the application of Conjoint Analysis and PLS-SEM modeling to analyze psychological and economic factors influencing transport behavior.

CHAPTER 4 Results: Presents the statistical findings of the survey in Poland, detailing demographic profiles, travel habits, and the influence of incentives and penalties on mode switching.

Keywords

EBM Model, Choice Based Conjoint, Experienced Feelings, PLS-SEM, Transport, Sustainability, Behavioral Economics, Rational Choice, Habits, Road Safety, Mobility as a Service (MaaS), Autonomous Driving, Policy Instruments, Personality Traits, Big Five.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core focus of this PhD dissertation?

The research investigates the influence of economic, social, and psychological factors on the transport behavior of Polish citizens, specifically analyzing whether stated intentions in hypothetical situations reflect real-world travel behavior.

Which theoretical model forms the foundation of the research?

The Engel-Blackwell-Miniard (EBM) model is used as the primary theoretical framework to conceptualize the consumer decision-making process within a travel context.

What primary methodology is utilized to analyze the data?

The study employs Conjoint Analysis (a stated preference method) and Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to perform path analysis and model fitting.

Which role do policy instruments play in the study?

Policy instruments, categorized as punishments (e.g., higher fuel costs) and incentives (e.g., employer support for public transit), are analyzed to determine their effectiveness in inducing a shift toward more sustainable transport modes.

Does the dissertation find that personality traits influence transport choice?

Yes, the research incorporates variables like risk-taking tendencies and the Big Five personality traits to test for correlations with preferred transportation choices and responses to policy changes.

How is "mental state" defined in the context of transport behavior?

Mental states, often referred to as "experienced feelings," are conceptualized as pleasant or unpleasant states (e.g., flow, relaxation, anxiety, boredom) linked to travel experience, building on concepts from Csikszentmihalyi’s flow theory.

What specific finding regarding employer incentives does the study highlight?

The study indicates that financial incentives provided by employers for non-personal transport options can significantly shift behavior for certain demographics, though many respondents remain hesitant to abandon private car usage.

What does the study conclude about the role of habit in transportation?

It concludes that habitual behavior acts as a critical barrier to change, noting that rational considerations are often bypassed by routine travel patterns, which makes interventions designed to change travel behavior complex and difficult.