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The impact of attitudes and perceptions on travel mode choice and car ownership in a Chinese megacity: The case of Guangzhou

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  • He, Sylvia Y.
  • Thøgersen, John

Abstract

The objective of this research is to understand intentions to buy a car and how car-ownership, together with other personal, situational and attitudinal factors, influences travel mode choice in a Chinese megacity. A survey was carried out in Guangzhou, China to examine respondents’ car ownership and travel mode perceptions and choices, as well as personal and situational characteristics. A quota sampling procedure was used to select members of three different groups: car owners; no car but planning to buy one in the next 5 years – car intenders; and no car and not planning to buy one. We find that car ownership is the most important among included predictors of travel mode choice, which also depend on other personal and situational factors, but only indirectly by attitudinal factors. However, attitudinal factors have a strong impact on the intention to buy a car, while controlling for other personal and situational factors. Our results suggest that several policies can be further improved in China for greater effectiveness in reducing the car use of car owners and car intenders.

Suggested Citation

  • He, Sylvia Y. & Thøgersen, John, 2017. "The impact of attitudes and perceptions on travel mode choice and car ownership in a Chinese megacity: The case of Guangzhou," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 57-67.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:retrec:v:62:y:2017:i:c:p:57-67
    DOI: 10.1016/j.retrec.2017.03.004
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Attitude; Car ownership; Car use; China; Megacity; Mode choice; Public transport; Transport policy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R40 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - General
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure
    • O21 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - Planning Models; Planning Policy

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