Affective Appraisals of the Daily Commute: Comparing Perceptions of Drivers, Cyclists, Walkers, and Users of Public Transport

This article reports on a study undertaken to evaluate the perceptions of commuters who use different modes of transportation in their daily commutes. The authors compared perceptions of university employees who were automobile drivers, cyclists, walkers, and users of public transport. The survey revealed that car commuters find their journey more stressful than other mode users, primarily due to delays and other road users. Users of public transport also "complain" about delays; however, this results in stress as well as boredom. Walking and cycling journeys are the most relaxing and exciting and therefore seem the most optimum form of travel from an affective perspective. The authors contend that the participants' affective appraisals of the daily commute are related to instrumental aspects, such as journey time, but also to general attitudes toward various travel modes. They conclude with a discussion of the implications of these findings for sustainable transport policy initiatives that aim to persuade people to abandon their automobiles.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00139165
• Authors:
  • Gatersleben, Birgitta
  • Uzzell, David
• Publication Date: 2007-5

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: References;
• Pagination: pp 416-431
• Serial:
  • Environment and Behavior
  • Volume: 39
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: Sage Publications, Incorporated
  • ISSN: 0013-9165
  • EISSN: 1552-390X
  • Serial URL: http://eab.sagepub.com/

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobiles; Bicycling; Commuting; Delays; Mode choice; Public opinion; Public transit; Stress (Psychology); Transportation modes; Travel time; Walking
• Uncontrolled Terms: Affective reactions; Boredom
• Subject Areas: Highways; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; Society; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01054682
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 30 2007 8:44PM