Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Normative beliefs and modality styles: a latent class and latent variable model of travel behaviour

  • Published:
Transportation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We study the interrelation of normative beliefs, which are an individual’s perception of the beliefs of others regarding a specific behaviour, and modality styles, which represent the part of an individual’s lifestyle that is characterised by the use of a certain set of modes. In recent years, travel behaviour research has increasingly sought to understand the effect of social influence on mobility-related behaviour. One stream of literature has adopted representations rooted in social psychology to explain behaviour as a function of latent psycho-social constructs including normative beliefs. Another stream of literature has employed a lifestyle-oriented approach to identify segments or modality styles within a population that differ in terms of their orientation towards different modes of transport. Our study proposes an integrated conceptual framework that combines elements of these two streams of literature. Modality styles are hypothesised to be a function of normative beliefs towards the use of different modes of transport; mobility-related attitudes and behaviours are in turn hypothesised to be functions of modality styles. The conceptual model is operationalised using a latent class and latent variable model and empirically validated using data collected through an Australian consumer panel. We demonstrate how this integrated model framework may be used to understand the relationship between normative beliefs, modality styles and travel behaviour. In addition, we show how the model can be applied to predict how extant modality styles and patterns of travel behaviour may change over time in response to concurrent shifts in normative beliefs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. We acknowledge that applications of HCM in travel behaviour analysis have been critiqued. Chorus and Kroesen (2014) argue that the derivation of policy implications, which suggest to change the value of a latent variable to stimulate the demand for more sustainable travel modes, from HCMs, which include attitudes and perceptions as latent explanatory variables, is problematic, because such latent variables are likely to be endogenous to travel behaviour. In essence, Chorus’s and Kroesen’s (2014) critique alludes to the importance of robustifying the specification of HCMs against endogeneity. Yet, we argue that the use of HCMs in policy analysis is not per se problematic, provided that they are specified in a way that is consistent with behavioural theory

  2. Moreover, from the vector \(\hat{\tau }_{b}\) of estimated threshold parameters, the distribution of responses to question \(b \in B\) can be calculated. Let \(\hat{\tau }_{{\varvec{b},\eta_{b} }}\) be the estimated threshold between responses \(\mu_{b,k,\eta }\) and \(\mu_{{b,m,\eta_{b + 1} }}\).Then, \(\frac{{\exp \,(\hat{\tau }_{{\varvec{b},\eta_{b} }} - \rho_{b} )}}{{1 + \exp\, (\hat{\tau }_{{\varvec{b},\eta_{b} }} - \rho_{b} )}}\) is the cumulative probability of observing \(\{ \mu_{b,k,0} , \ldots ,\mu_{{b,k,\eta_{b} }} \}.\)

  3. To mitigate potential response biases due to interviewer demand effects, the items for the measurement of latent constructs, were phrased, using neutral language. Furthermore, the order of the items was randomised across respondents. Similarly, the order of items within blocks of items pertaining to a specific transport mode were randomised, as was the order of the blocks. In addition, each block of items contained a roughly equal number of items, i.e., items pertaining to certain transport modes were neither over- nor under-represented in the questionnaire.

  4. To reduce the response burden, indicators pertaining to the use of the private car were only displayed to respondents, who had indicated that they held a driving license. Similarly, the indicators pertaining to bicycling were only displayed to respondents, who had access to a bicycle on a regular basis.

  5. The survey instrument also included indicators for the latent norm regarding bicycling. However, this information was only collected for 170 respondents, who had indicated that they had access to a bicycle on a regular basis. The later analysis showed that the data used for the estimation of the latent class and latent variable model could not support the inclusion of the latent norm construct regarding bicycling because of the relatively few observations of the corresponding indicators. Hence, we omit these indicators in the further analysis.

  6. A similar question format is employed by Molin et al. (2016). We agree with the authors that other data sources such as trip diary data could be considered to limit the impact of potential biases resulting from respondents’ self-reporting of aggregate frequencies of their own behaviour. Yet, an advantage of this question type over other data sources concerns the fact that self-reported mode-use frequencies can cover longer time periods than it is practically feasible using trip diary data (Molin et al. 2016).

  7. As the items were presented in an Australian context, the wording of some items was slightly modified, while the original meaning was preserved. In some cases, the items were generalised, as the target population of the present study differed from the context of Haustein’s (2012) original study, which targeted elderly people. For example, the item for the measurement of the construct “public transit enjoyment”, which is reported in Table 5, is not included in Haustein’s (2012) original study. However, it was added in the present study, as we were interested in measuring how the general population perceives the utility of public transit use.

  8. In the interest of brevity, we only present the most relevant estimation results. Additional estimation results of the measurement components of the latent normative belief submodels, the habit strengths submodels and the mode-specific attitude submodels are reported in the appendix.

References

  • Abou-Zeid, M., Schmöcker, J.-D., Belgiawan, P.F., Fujii, S.: Mass effects and mobility decisions. Transp. Lett. 5, 115–130 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Acker, V.V., Wee, B.V., Witlox, F.: When transport geography meets social psychology: toward a conceptual model of travel behaviour. Transp. Rev. 30, 219–240 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ajzen, I.: Theories of cognitive self-regulation the theory of planned behavior. Organ. Behav. Hum. Decis. Process. 50, 179–211 (1991)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ajzen, I.: Constructing a theory of planned behaviour questionnaire https://people.umass.edu/aizen/pdf/tpb.measurement.pdf (2006)

  • Anable, J.: “Complacent car addicts” or “aspiring environmentalists”? identifying travel behaviour segments using attitude theory. Transp. Policy 12, 65–78 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Australian bureau of statistics: census of population and housing of 2011. (2013)

  • Bahamonde-Birke, F.J., Kunert, U., Link, H., de Ortúzar, J.D.: About attitudes and perceptions: finding the proper way to consider latent variables in discrete choice models. Transportation (2015). doi:10.1007/s11116-015-9663-5

    Google Scholar 

  • Bamberg, S., Ajzen, I., Schmidt, P.: Choice of travel mode in the theory of planned behavior: the roles of past behavior, habit, and reasoned action. Basic Appl. Soc. Psychol. 25, 175–187 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bamberg, S., Fujii, S., Friman, M., Gärling, T.: Behaviour theory and soft transport policy measures. Transp. Policy 18, 228–235 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bamberg, S., Hunecke, M., Blöbaum, A.: Social context, personal norms and the use of public transportation: two field studies. J. Environ. Psychol. 27, 190–203 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bastian, A., Börjesson, M., Eliasson, J.: Explaining “peak car” with economic variables. Transp. Res. Part Policy Pract. 88, 236–250 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belgiawan, P.F., Schmöcker, J.-D., Abou-Zeid, M., Walker, J., Lee, T.-C., Ettema, D.F., Fujii, S.: Car ownership motivations among undergraduate students in China, Indonesia, Japan, Lebanon, Netherlands, Taiwan, and USA. Transportation 41, 1227–1244 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ben-Akiva, M., McFadden, D., Train, K., Walker, J.L., Bhat, C., Bierlaire, M., Bolduc, D., Boersch-Supan, A., Brownstone, D., Bunch, D.S., Daly, A., de Palma, A., Gopinath, D., Karlstrom, A., Munizage, M.A.: Hybrid choice models: progress and challenges. Mark. Lett. 13, 163–175 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bierlaire, M.: BIOGEME: A free package for the estimation of discrete choice models. In: Proceedings of the 3rd Swiss Transportation Research Conference., Ascona (2003)

  • Bierlaire, M., Fetiarison, M.: Estimation of discrete choice models: extending biogeme. In: Proceedings of the 9th Swiss Transport Research Conference., Ascona (2009)

  • Chataway, E.S., Kaplan, S., Nielsen, T.A.S., Prato, C.G.: Safety perceptions and reported behavior related to cycling in mixed traffic: a comparison between Brisbane and Copenhagen. Transp. Res. Part F Traffic Psychol. Behav 23, 32–43 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chorus, C.G., Kroesen, M.: On the (im-) possibility of deriving transport policy implications from hybrid choice models. Transp. Policy 36, 217–222 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daly, A., Hess, S., Patruni, B., Potoglou, D., Rohr, C.: Using ordered attitudinal indicators in a latent variable choice model: a study of the impact of security on rail travel behaviour. Transportation 39, 267–297 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Delbosc, A.: Delay or forgo? A closer look at youth driver licensing trends in the United States and Australia. Transportation (2016). doi:10.1007/s11116-016-9685-7

    Google Scholar 

  • Delbosc, A., Currie, G.: Causes of youth licensing decline: a synthesis of evidence. Transp. Rev. 33, 271–290 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diana, M., Mokhtarian, P.L.: Grouping travelers on the basis of their different car and transit levels of use. Transportation 36, 455–467 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dill, J., Voros, K.: Factors affecting bicycling demand: initial survey findings from the Portland, Oregon Region. Transp. Res. Rec. J. Transp. Res. Board. 2031, 9–17 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doherty, K.L., Webler, T.N.: Social norms and efficacy beliefs drive the alarmed segment’s public-sphere climate actions. Nat. Clim. Change. 6, 879–884 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Domarchi, C., Tudela, A., González, A.: Effect of attitudes, habit and affective appraisal on mode choice: an application to university workers. Transportation 35, 585–599 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Donald, I.J., Cooper, S.R., Conchie, S.M.: An extended theory of planned behaviour model of the psychological factors affecting commuters’ transport mode use. J. Environ. Psychol. 40, 39–48 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dugundji, E.R., Páez, A., Arentze, T.A., Walker, J.L., Carrasco, J.A., Marchal, F., Nakanishi, H.: Transportation and social interactions. Transp. Res. Part Policy Pract. 45, 239–247 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dutzik, T., Inglis, J., Baxandall, P.: Millennials in Motion Changing Travel Habits of Young Americans and the Implications for Public Policy. (2014)

  • Festinger, L.: A theory of cognitive dissonance. Stanford University Press, Oxford (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Forward, S.E.: The theory of planned behaviour: The role of descriptive norms and past behaviour in the prediction of drivers’ intentions to violate. Transp. Res. Part F Traffic Psychol. Behav. 12(3), 198–207 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garikapati, V.M., Pendyala, R.M., Morris, E.A., Mokhtarian, P.L., McDonald, N.: Activity patterns, time use, and travel of millennials: a generation in transition? Transp. Rev. 36, 558–584 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gärling, T., Axhausen, K.W.: Introduction: habitual travel choice. Transportation 30, 1–11 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gärling, T., Schuitema, G.: Travel demand management targeting reduced private car use: effectiveness, public acceptability and political feasibility. J. Soc. Issues. 63, 139–153 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goodwin, P., Dender, K.V.: “Peak car”—themes and issues. Transp. Rev. 33, 243–254 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haustein, S.: Mobility behavior of the elderly: an attitude-based segmentation approach for a heterogeneous target group. Transportation 39, 1079–1103 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haustein, S., Hunecke, M.: Reduced use of environmentally friendly modes of transportation caused by perceived mobility necessities: an extension of the theory of planned behavior1. J. Appl. Soc. Psychol. 37, 1856–1883 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haustein, S., Siren, A.: Seniors’ unmet mobility needs—how important is a driving licence? J. Transp. Geogr. 41, 45–52 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heinen, E., Chatterjee, K.: The same mode again? An exploration of mode choice variability in Great Britain using the National Travel Survey. Transp. Res. Part Policy Pract. 78, 266–282 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hess, S., Shires, J., Jopson, A.: Accommodating underlying pro-environmental attitudes in a rail travel context: application of a latent variable latent class specification. Transp. Res. Part Transp. Environ. 25, 42–48 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hess, S., Stathopoulos, A.: A mixed random utility—random regret model linking the choice of decision rule to latent character traits. J. Choice Model. 9, 27–38 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hunecke, M., Blöbaum, A., Matthies, E., Höger, R.: Responsibility and environment ecological norm orientation and external factors in the domain of travel mode choice behavior. Environ. Behav. 33, 830–852 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hunecke, M., Haustein, S., Böhler, S., Grischkat, S.: Attitude-based target groups to reduce the ecological impact of daily mobility behavior. Environ. Behav. 42, 3–43 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hurtubia, R., Nguyen, M.H., Glerum, A., Bierlaire, M.: Integrating psychometric indicators in latent class choice models. Transp. Res. Part Policy Pract. 64, 135–146 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jariyasunant, J., Abou-Zeid, M., Carrel, A., Ekambaram, V., Gaker, D., Sengupta, R., Walker, J.L.: Quantified traveler: travel feedback meets the cloud to change behavior. J. Intell. Transp. Syst. 19, 109–124 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, S., Manca, F., Nielsen, T.A.S., Prato, C.G.: Intentions to use bike-sharing for holiday cycling: an application of the theory of planned behavior. Tour. Manag. 47, 34–46 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, H., Markus, H.R.: Deviance or uniqueness, harmony or conformity? a cultural analysis. J. Pers. Soc. Psychol. 77, 785–800 (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kitamura, R.: Life-style and travel demand. Transportation 36, 679–710 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krueger, R., Rashidi, T.H., Rose, J.M. Adoption of shared autonomous vehicles–a hybrid choice modeling approach based on a stated-choice survey. Presented at the Transportation Research Board 95th Annual Meeting (2016)

  • Kuhnimhof, T., Buehler, R., Wirtz, M., Kalinowska, D.: Travel trends among young adults in Germany: increasing multimodality and declining car use for men. J. Transp. Geogr. 24, 443–450 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuhnimhof, T., Chlond, B., von der Ruhren, S.: Users of transport modes and multimodal travel behavior steps toward understanding travelers’ options and choices. Transp. Res. Rec. J. Transp. Res. Board. 1985, 40–48 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lanzendorf, M.: Mobility styles and travel behavior: application of a lifestyle approach to leisure travel. Transp. Res. Rec. J. Transp. Res. Board. 1807, 163–173 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Likert, R.: A technique for the measurement of attitudes. Arch. Psychol 22(140), 55 (1932)

    Google Scholar 

  • Maness, M., Cirillo, C., Dugundji, E.R.: Generalized behavioral framework for choice models of social influence: behavioral and data concerns in travel behavior. J. Transp. Geogr. 46, 137–150 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mariel, P., Meyerhoff, J., Hess, S.: Heterogeneous preferences toward landscape externalities of wind turbines—combining choices and attitudes in a hybrid model. Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. 41, 647–657 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Metz, D.: Peak car and beyond: the fourth era of travel. Transp. Rev. 33, 255–270 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Molin, E., Mokhtarian, P., Kroesen, M.: Multimodal travel groups and attitudes: a latent class cluster analysis of Dutch travelers. Transp. Res. Part Policy Pract. 83, 14–29 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Motoaki, Y., Daziano, R.A.: Assessing Goodness of Fit of Hybrid Choice Models. Transp. Res. Rec. J. Transp. Res. Board. 2495, 131–141 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moyano Dίaz. E.: Theory of planned behavior and pedestrians’ intentions to violate traffic regulations. Transp. Res. Part F Traffic Psychol. Behav. 5(3), 169–175 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ohnmacht, T., Götz, K., Schad, H.: Leisure mobility styles in Swiss conurbations: construction and empirical analysis. Transportation 36, 243–265 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olafsson, A.S., Nielsen, T.S., Carstensen, T.A.: Cycling in multimodal transport behaviours: exploring modality styles in the Danish population. J. Transp. Geogr. 52, 123–130 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Polzin, S.E., Chu, X., Godfrey, J.: The impact of millennials’ travel behavior on future personal vehicle travel. Energy Strategy Rev. 5, 59–65 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prato, C.G., Halldórsdóttir, K., Nielsen, O.A.: Latent lifestyle and mode choice decisions when travelling short distances. Transportation. (2016). doi:10.1007/s11116-016-9703-9

    Google Scholar 

  • Salomon, I., Ben-Akiva, M.: The use of the life-style concept in travel demand models. Environ. Plan. A. 15, 623–638 (1983)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salvá, J.R., Sierra, M., Alanis, A.K.J., Kaplan, S., Prato, C.G.: Role of social climate in habitual transit use by young adults to work and leisure activities. Transp. Res. Rec. J. Transp. Res. Board. 2512, 22–30 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanko, N., Hess, S., Dumont, J., Daly, A.: Contrasting imputation with a latent variable approach to dealing with missing income in choice models. J. Choice Model. 12, 47–57 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwanen, T., Banister, D., Anable, J.: Rethinking habits and their role in behaviour change: the case of low-carbon mobility. J. Transp. Geogr. 24, 522–532 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, S.H.: Normative Influences on Altruism1. In: Berkowitz, L. (ed.) Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, pp. 221–279. Academic Press, New York (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaheen, S.A., Cohen, A.P.: Carsharing and personal vehicle services: worldwide market developments and emerging trends. Int. J. Sustain. Transp. 7, 5–34 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simma, A., Axhausen, K.W.: Structures of commitment in mode use: a comparison of Switzerland Germany and Great Britain. Transp. Policy. 8, 279–288 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smiley, K.T., Rushing, W., Scott, M.: Behind a bicycling boom: governance, cultural change and place character in Memphis, Tennessee. Urban Stud. 53, 193–209 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steg, L.: Car use: lust and must. Instrumental, symbolic and affective motives for car use. Transp. Res. Part Policy Pract. 39, 125–145 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steg, L., Vlek, C.: Encouraging pro-environmental behaviour: an integrative review and research agenda. J. Environ. Psychol. 29, 309–317 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stern, P.C.: New environmental theories: toward a coherent theory of environmentally significant behavior. J. Soc. Issues. 56, 407–424 (2000)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thorhauge, M., Haustein, S., Cherchi, E.: Accounting for the theory of planned behaviour in departure time choice. Transp. Res. Part F Traffic Psychol. Behav 38, 94–105 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Triandis, H.C.: Interpersonal behavior. Brooks/Cole Pub.Co, Monterey (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Verplanken, B., Aarts, H.: Habit, attitude, and planned behaviour: is habit an empty construct or an interesting case of goal-directed automaticity? Eur. Rev. Soc. Psychol. 10, 101–134 (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Verplanken, B., Aarts, H., van Knippenberg, A., van Knippenberg, C.: Attitude versus general habit: antecedents of travel mode choice1. J. Appl. Soc. Psychol. 24, 285–300 (1994)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vij, A., Carrel, A., Walker, J.L.: Incorporating the influence of latent modal preferences on travel mode choice behavior. Transp. Res. Part Policy Pract. 54, 164–178 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vij, A., Gorripaty, S., Walker, J.L.: From Trend Spotting to Trend ‘Splaining: Understanding Modal Preference Shifts in San Francisco Bay Area, http://www.joanwalker.com/uploads/3/6/9/5/3695513/vij_et_al_2015_trendsplaining.pdf, (2015)

  • Vij, A., Walker, J.L.: You can lead travelers to the bus stop, but you can’t make them ride. Presented at the Transportation Research Board 92nd Annual Meeting (2013)

  • Walker, J.L., Ben-Akiva, M.: Generalized random utility model. Math. Soc. Sci. 43, 303–343 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker, J.L., Li, J.: Latent lifestyle preferences and household location decisions. J. Geogr. Syst. 9, 77–101 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wedel, M., Kamakura, W.A.: Market Segmentation. Springer, US (2000)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Xiong, C., Chen, X., He, X., Guo, W., Zhang, L.: The analysis of dynamic travel mode choice: a heterogeneous hidden Markov approach. Transportation 42, 985–1002 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, D., Schmöcker, J.-D., Fujii, S., Yang, X.: Social norms and public transport usage: empirical study from Shanghai. Transportation 43, 869–888 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to three anonymous reviewers, whose insightful comments helped to substantially improve an earlier version of this paper. However, the remaining errors are solely our own responsibility. RK and THR acknowledge support from the Australian Research Council under Grant LP150101266.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rico Krueger.

Appendix

Appendix

See Tables 14, 15, 16, and 17

Table 14 Estimates of coefficients on mode-use frequencies
Table 15 Estimates of coefficient on modal habit strength scores
Table 16 Estimates of measurement coefficients of the latent normative belief models
Table 17 Estimates of coefficients for the latent mode-specific attitudes

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Krueger, R., Vij, A. & Rashidi, T.H. Normative beliefs and modality styles: a latent class and latent variable model of travel behaviour. Transportation 45, 789–825 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11116-016-9751-1

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11116-016-9751-1

Keywords

Navigation