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The impact of extreme weather conditions on long distance travel behaviour

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  • Zanni, Alberto M.
  • Ryley, Tim J.

Abstract

This paper examines traveller attitudes and responses towards disruption from weather and natural events. An internet-based travel behaviour survey was conducted with more than 2000 respondents in London and Glasgow. Of these respondents, 740 reported information on over 1000 long distance trips affected by extreme weather and natural events over the previous three years. Results show respondents are generally cautious towards travelling during extreme weather events. For a slight majority in the case of air and public transport, and a greater one in the case of car, travellers did not considerably alter their travel plan following the disruption. This was explained not only by less disruptive weather conditions (with heavy snow and volcanic ash being the most disruptive) and impact, but also by the relative importance of their trips. Differences between transport modes were not substantial. Business trips sometimes appeared to give travellers more flexibility, some other times not. Origin and destination did have an impact on reaction, as well as the presence of children whilst travelling. Mixed results were obtained about socio-economic and attitudinal variables. Age in particular did not appear to have a significant effect. Whilst most respondents did acknowledge no external influence in their decision, results showed an important contribution of transport organisation staff, as well as home and mobile internet technology. A limited but still considerable number of respondents indicated their closest friends/relatives as the main influence of their decisions. The results will help planners deploy strategies to mitigate the negative effects of weather related disruptions.

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  • Zanni, Alberto M. & Ryley, Tim J., 2015. "The impact of extreme weather conditions on long distance travel behaviour," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 305-319.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:transa:v:77:y:2015:i:c:p:305-319
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tra.2015.04.025
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    7. Lesley Strawderman & Daniel W. Carruth & Kathleen Sherman-Morris & Philip Menard & Merrill Warkentin & Karen S. McNeal, 2018. "Individual transportation decisions under conditions of risk and uncertainty," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 92(2), pages 927-942, June.
    8. Jiahang He & Toshiyuki Yamamoto & Tomio Miwa & Takayuki Morikawa, 2020. "Hazard Duration Model with Panel Data for Daily Car Travel Distance: A Toyota City Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-13, August.
    9. Chengxi Liu & Yusak O. Susilo & Anders Karlström, 2017. "Weather variability and travel behaviour – what we know and what we do not know," Transport Reviews, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(6), pages 715-741, November.
    10. Qing-Chang Lu & Junyi Zhang & A. B. M. Sertajur Rahman, 2017. "The interrelationship between travel behavior and life choices in adapting to flood disasters," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 85(2), pages 1005-1022, January.
    11. Zanni, Alberto M & Goulden, Murray & Ryley, Tim & Dingwall, Robert, 2017. "Improving scenario methods in infrastructure planning: A case study of long distance travel and mobility in the UK under extreme weather uncertainty and a changing climate," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 180-197.

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