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Sustainable Commuting: Results from a Social Approach and International Evidence on Carpooling

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  • José Alberto Molina

    (Department of Economic Analysis, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
    BIFI, University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
    Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), 53113 Bonn, Germany)

  • J. Ignacio Giménez-Nadal

    (Department of Economic Analysis, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
    BIFI, University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
    Centre for Time Use Research (CTUR), London WC1H 0AL, UK)

  • Jorge Velilla

    (Department of Economics and Business Studies, University of La Rioja, 26006 Logroño, Spain)

Abstract

Sustainable commuting (SC) usually refers to environmentally friendly travel modes, such as public transport (bus, tram, subway, light rail), walking, cycling, and carpooling. The double aim of the paper is to summarize relevant prior results in commuting from a social approach, and to provide new, international empirical evidence on carpooling as a specific mode of sustainable commuting. The literature shows that certain socio-demographic characteristics clearly affect the use of non-motorized alternatives, and compared to driving, well-being is greater for those using active travel or public transport. Additionally, this paper analyzes the behavior of carpooling for commuting, using ordinary least squares (OLS) models, which have been estimated from the Multinational Time Use Study (MTUS) for the following countries: Bulgaria, Canada, Spain, Finland, France, Hungary, Italy, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Results indicate that carpooling for commuting is not habitual for workers, as less than 25% of the total time from/to work by car is done with others on board. With respect to the role of the socio-demographic characteristics of individuals, our evidence indicates that age, gender, education, being native, and household composition may have a cross-country, consistent relationship with carpooling participation. Given that socializing is the main reason for carpooling, in the current COVID-19 pandemic, carpooling may be decreasing and, consequently, initiatives have been launched to show that carpooling is a necessary way to avoid crowded modes of transport. Thus, the development of high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) lanes by local authorities can increase carpooling, and draw attention to the economic and environmental benefits of carpooling for potential users.

Suggested Citation

  • José Alberto Molina & J. Ignacio Giménez-Nadal & Jorge Velilla, 2020. "Sustainable Commuting: Results from a Social Approach and International Evidence on Carpooling," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-12, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:22:p:9587-:d:446631
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    References listed on IDEAS

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