Effectiveness of a web-based intervention to encourage carpooling to work: A case study of Wellington, New Zealand

Despite the many advantages of private car travel, excessive use of the private car has many negative consequences, such as congestion and air pollution. There is widespread recognition of the need to limit the demand for private car travel through travel demand management measures, such as information and incentives. This study examines the effectiveness of Let's Carpool, an initiative aimed at increasing vehicle occupancy in the Wellington region of New Zealand, and it examines factors related to solo driving. Let's Carpool uses ride-matching software to facilitate finding a carpool match for the commute to and from work. This evaluation study among nearly 1300 registrants of Let's Carpool shows that the percentage of commuters enrolled in the scheme who carpooled as their main mode of transport for getting to work increased significantly (from 12% to 27%), while the percentage of commuters indicating they drove alone decreased significantly. The frequency of driving alone also decreased significantly. Beliefs about cost, comfort, and convenience were related to solo driving. Based on the findings, recommendations are made to further enhance the effect of carpool initiatives.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2012.01.005
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/29485010
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission from Elsevier.
• Authors:
  • Abrahamse, Wokje
  • Keall, Michael
• Publication Date: 2012-5

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 45-51
• Serial:
  • Transport Policy
  • Volume: 21
  • Issue Number: 0
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 0967-070X
  • Serial URL: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/issn/096707X

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Carpools; Case studies; Commuters; Commuting; Modal shift; Promotion; Travel demand management; Vehicle occupancy; Websites; Work trips
• Geographic Terms: Wellington (New Zealand)
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Passenger Transportation; Planning and Forecasting; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01383508
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 22 2012 3:36PM