BEHAVORIAL TECHNOLOGY-AN ESSENTIAL DESIGN COMPONENT OF TRANSPORTATION

In addition to physical technical perspectives, transportation planners must consider the appropriateness of designing on the basis of behavioral knowledge. This broader perspective would enhance their ability to analyze existing and predict future transportation behaviors. It is suggested that reinforcement theory, a theory of human learning, offers a coherent framework from which transportation planners might accomplish this task. A reinforcement analysis of car driving behaviors is then discussed and suggestions for appropriate strategies to increase other types of transportation behaviors follows. A case in point illustrated that bus ridership could be increased to 150 percent of baseline levels by the systematic application of reinforcement theory. Speculations are then made as to the economic and long term practicability of using the principles of reinforcement theory to maintain bus ridership.

• Corporate Authors:

  Planning Transport Associates, Incorporated

  P.O. Box 4824, Duke Station
  Durham, NC  United States  27706
• Authors:
  • Everett, P B
  • Hayward, S C
• Publication Date: 1974-6

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 139-143
• Serial:
  • High Speed Ground Transportation Journal
  • Volume: 8
  • Issue Number: 2

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Behavior; Bus transportation; Drivers; Learning; Ridership; Transportation planning
• Old TRIS Terms: Behavioral objectives
• Subject Areas: Economics; Highways; Motor Carriers; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00096110
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 10 1975 12:00AM