Meaning of the Car: Identity vs. Private Space
This article considers the meaning of the automobile in American culture, with a focus on how attitudes and symbolism have an impact on ridesharing (carpooling). The author reports on her 2003 study that used ethnographic methods to learn about the uses and associated meaning of the car’s interior spaces. Participants talked about the car interior as a comfortable place to relax, spend quality time with the kids, have a snack or lunch with a friend, take the family on vacation, invite a date. The author proposes a metaphor that sets up the automobile as private living space. The feeling that one’s car is private space is a potential barrier to ridesharing schemes and may explain why ridesharing is not more widespread in the United States. Many people may see the transportation of a stranger as an intrusion into personal, private space. The author concludes with a brief discussion of strategies that could help ease the ridesharing process. One strategy might be the use of a rating system that allows both drivers and passengers to rate the ride experience and to prescreen potential matches.
- Record URL:
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Authors:
- Squires, Susan
- Publication Date: 2010
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Web
- Features: References;
- Pagination: pp 16-17
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Serial:
- TDM Review
- Volume: 17
- Issue Number: 1
- Publisher: Association for Commuter Transportation
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Attitudes; Automobile drivers; Carpools; Casual carpooling; Commuting; Costs; Incentives; Passengers; Psychological aspects; Ridesharing; Technological innovations; Travel behavior
- Uncontrolled Terms: Ethnographic studies
- Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning; I73: Traffic Control;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01154885
- Record Type: Publication
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Apr 20 2010 8:44AM