IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/trapol/v116y2022icp48-57.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Energy consumption in university commuting: Barriers, policies and reduction scenarios in León (Spain)

Author

Listed:
  • Hidalgo-González, Cristina
  • Rodríguez-Fernández, M Pilar
  • Pérez-Neira, David

Abstract

There is a growing interest in university commuting that aims at identifying patterns of behavior, as well as the main barriers limiting the advances in sustainable mobility on campus. This work analyzes, on the basis of an online survey conducted at the University of Leon (ULE), the following issues: a) the behavior of ULE users in their weekly commuting; b) the environmental implications of such behavior in terms of non-renewable cumulative energy demand (NR CED), and c) the main barriers/disincentives to implementing a modal shift as declared by the respondents, according to their work status (students or workers) and gender. The data reveal differences in habits, especially in relation to the users’ work status, while differences by gender are not so significant. Still, this case study shows how men students use bicycles and motorcycles slightly more often than women, while the car is the main transportation mode for women workers. Car use is in fact the main hotspot of university commuting to the ULE (approximately 95% of the NR CED). Unsafe cycle paths, thefts at university, bus fares and frequency of service were the main barriers to a greater use of bicycle and bus identified by the survey respondents, with some differences by gender and work status. Measures aimed at minimizing these barriers could achieve maximum reductions of the NR CED ranging between 18.1% and 35.0%. This article discusses measures and policies that could be implemented to improve sustainable mobility at university.

Suggested Citation

  • Hidalgo-González, Cristina & Rodríguez-Fernández, M Pilar & Pérez-Neira, David, 2022. "Energy consumption in university commuting: Barriers, policies and reduction scenarios in León (Spain)," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 48-57.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:trapol:v:116:y:2022:i:c:p:48-57
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tranpol.2021.10.016
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0967070X21003000
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.tranpol.2021.10.016?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Simons, Dorien & De Bourdeaudhuij, Ilse & Clarys, Peter & de Geus, Bas & Vandelanotte, Corneel & Van Cauwenberg, Jelle & Deforche, Benedicte, 2017. "Choice of transport mode in emerging adulthood: Differences between secondary school students, studying young adults and working young adults and relations with gender, SES and living environment," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 172-184.
    2. Fan, Yingling & Guthrie, Andrew & Levinson, David, 2016. "Waiting time perceptions at transit stops and stations: Effects of basic amenities, gender, and security," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 251-264.
    3. Thigpen, Calvin, 2019. "Do bicycling experiences and exposure influence bicycling skills and attitudes? Evidence from a bicycle-friendly university," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 68-79.
    4. Alba Arias & Iñigo Leon & Xabat Oregi & Cristina Marieta, 2021. "Environmental Assessment of University Campuses: The Case of the University of Navarra in Pamplona (Spain)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-17, August.
    5. Rybarczyk, Greg & Gallagher, Laura, 2014. "Measuring the potential for bicycling and walking at a metropolitan commuter university," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 1-10.
    6. Zhan, Guangjun & Yan, Xuedong & Zhu, Shanjiang & Wang, Yun, 2016. "Using hierarchical tree-based regression model to examine university student travel frequency and mode choice patterns in China," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 55-65.
    7. Thigpen, Calvin, 2019. "Do bicycling experiences and exposure influence bicycling skills and attitudes? Evidence from a bicycle-friendly university," Institute of Transportation Studies, Working Paper Series qt5bx856z7, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis.
    8. Mehdizadeh, Milad & Zavareh, Mohsen Fallah & Nordfjaern, Trond, 2019. "Mono- and multimodal green transport use on university trips during winter and summer: Hybrid choice models on the norm-activation theory," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 317-332.
    9. Mrkajic, Vladimir & Vukelic, Djordje & Mihajlov, Andjelka, 2015. "Reduction of CO2 emission and non-environmental co-benefits of bicycle infrastructure provision: the case of the University of Novi Sad, Serbia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 232-242.
    10. Craig, Lyn & van Tienoven, Theun Pieter, 2019. "Gender, mobility and parental shares of daily travel with and for children: a cross-national time use comparison," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 93-102.
    11. Coutts, Steven & Aird, Bria & Mitra, Raktim & Siemiatycki, Matti, 2018. "Does commute influence post-secondary Students' social capital? A study of campus participation at four universities in Toronto, Canada," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 172-181.
    12. Jose-Benito Perez-Lopez & Alfonso Orro & Margarita Novales, 2021. "Environmental Impact of Mobility in Higher-Education Institutions: The Case of the Ecological Footprint at the University of A Coruña (Spain)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-18, May.
    13. Balsas, Carlos J. L., 2003. "Sustainable transportation planning on college campuses," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 10(1), pages 35-49, January.
    14. Wang, Chih-Hao & Akar, Gulsah & Guldmann, Jean-Michel, 2015. "Do your neighbors affect your bicycling choice? A spatial probit model for bicycling to The Ohio State University," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 122-130.
    15. Gil Solá, Ana, 2016. "Constructing work travel inequalities: The role of household gender contracts," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 32-40.
    16. Fu, Xuemei & Juan, Zhicai, 2017. "Exploring the psychosocial factors associated with public transportation usage and examining the “gendered” difference," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 70-82.
    17. Prati, Gabriele, 2018. "Gender equality and women's participation in transport cycling," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 369-375.
    18. Salonen, Maria & Toivonen, Tuuli, 2013. "Modelling travel time in urban networks: comparable measures for private car and public transport," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 143-153.
    19. Nurul Habib, Khandker, 2018. "Modelling the choice and timing of acquiring a driver’s license: Revelations from a hazard model applied to the University students in Toronto," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 374-386.
    20. Muromachi, Yasunori, 2017. "Experiences of past school travel modes by university students and their intention of future car purchase," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 209-220.
    21. Zhou, Jiangping, 2012. "Sustainable commute in a car-dominant city: Factors affecting alternative mode choices among university students," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 46(7), pages 1013-1029.
    22. Prati, Gabriele & Fraboni, Federico & De Angelis, Marco & Pietrantoni, Luca & Johnson, Daniel & Shires, Jeremy, 2019. "Gender differences in cycling patterns and attitudes towards cycling in a sample of European regular cyclists," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 1-7.
    23. Busch-Geertsema, Annika & Lanzendorf, Martin, 2017. "From university to work life – Jumping behind the wheel? Explaining mode change of students making the transition to professional life," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 181-196.
    24. Whalen, Kate E. & Páez, Antonio & Carrasco, Juan A., 2013. "Mode choice of university students commuting to school and the role of active travel," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 132-142.
    25. Gurrutxaga, I. & Iturrate, M. & Oses, U. & Garcia, H., 2017. "Analysis of the modal choice of transport at the case of university: Case of University of the Basque Country of San Sebastian," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 233-244.
    26. Lundberg, Benjamin & Weber, Joe, 2014. "Non-motorized transport and university populations: an analysis of connectivity and network perceptions," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 165-178.
    27. Zhou, Jiangping, 2014. "From better understandings to proactive actions: Housing location and commuting mode choices among university students," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 33(C), pages 166-175.
    28. Shannon, Tya & Giles-Corti, Billie & Pikora, Terri & Bulsara, Max & Shilton, Trevor & Bull, Fiona, 2006. "Active commuting in a university setting: Assessing commuting habits and potential for modal change," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 13(3), pages 240-253, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Pérez-Neira, David & Rodríguez-Fernández, Ma Pilar & Hidalgo-González, Cristina, 2020. "The greenhouse gas mitigation potential of university commuting: A case study of the University of León (Spain)," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    2. Aghaabbasi, Mahdi & Shekari, Zohreh Asadi & Shah, Muhammad Zaly & Olakunle, Oloruntobi & Armaghani, Danial Jahed & Moeinaddini, Mehdi, 2020. "Predicting the use frequency of ride-sourcing by off-campus university students through random forest and Bayesian network techniques," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 262-281.
    3. Hasnine, Md Sami & Lin, TianYang & Weiss, Adam & Habib, Khandker Nurul, 2018. "Determinants of travel mode choices of post-secondary students in a large metropolitan area: The case of the city of Toronto," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 161-171.
    4. Hossain, Sanjana & Loa, Patrick & Ong, Felita & Habib, Khandker Nurul, 2022. "The determinants of commute mode usage frequency of post-secondary students in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 166(C), pages 164-185.
    5. Jiangping Zhou & Yin Wang & Jiangyue Wu, 2018. "Mode Choice of Commuter Students in a College Town: An Exploratory Study from the United States," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-18, September.
    6. Cadima, Catarina & Silva, Cecília & Pinho, Paulo, 2020. "Changing student mobility behaviour under financial crisis: Lessons from a case study in the Oporto University," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    7. Butler, Alex & Sweet, Matthias, 2020. "No free rides: Winners and losers of the proposed Toronto Transit Commission U-Pass program," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 15-28.
    8. Branka Trček & Beno Mesarec, 2022. "Pathways to Alternative Transport Mode Choices among University Students and Staff—Commuting to the University of Maribor since 2010," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-19, September.
    9. Bagdatli, Muhammed Emin Cihangir & Ipek, Fatima, 2022. "Transport mode preferences of university students in post-COVID-19 pandemic," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 20-32.
    10. Mohammadzadeh, Mohsen, 2020. "Exploring tertiary students' travel mode choices in Auckland: Insights and policy implications," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    11. Sottile, Eleonora & Tuveri, Giovanni & Piras, Francesco & Meloni, Italo, 2022. "Modelling commuting tours versus non-commuting tours for university students. A panel data analysis from different contexts," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 56-67.
    12. Selima Sultana & Hyojin Kim & Nastaran Pourebrahim & Firoozeh Karimi, 2018. "Geographical Assessment of Low-Carbon Transportation Modes: A Case Study from a Commuter University," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-23, August.
    13. Khaled Assi & Uneb Gazder & Ibrahim Al-Sghan & Imran Reza & Abdullah Almubarak, 2020. "A Nested Ensemble Approach with ANNs to Investigate the Effect of Socioeconomic Attributes on Active Commuting of University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-17, May.
    14. Nash, Sean & Mitra, Raktim, 2019. "University students' transportation patterns, and the role of neighbourhood types and attitudes," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 200-211.
    15. Shaila Jamal & K. Bruce Newbold, 2020. "Factors Associated with Travel Behavior of Millennials and Older Adults: A Scoping Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-27, October.
    16. Monika Teuber & Gorden Sudeck, 2021. "Why Do Students Walk or Cycle for Transportation? Perceived Study Environment and Psychological Determinants as Predictors of Active Transportation by University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-25, February.
    17. Rotaris, Lucia & Danielis, Romeo, 2014. "The impact of transportation demand management policies on commuting to college facilities: A case study at the University of Trieste, Italy," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 127-140.
    18. Rotaris, Lucia & Danielis, Romeo, 2015. "Commuting to college: The effectiveness and social efficiency of transportation demand management policies," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 158-168.
    19. Umer Mansoor & Mohammad Tamim Kashifi & Fazal Rehman Safi & Syed Masiur Rahman, 2022. "A review of factors and benefits of non-motorized transport: a way forward for developing countries," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(2), pages 1560-1582, February.
    20. Zhan, Guangjun & Yan, Xuedong & Zhu, Shanjiang & Wang, Yun, 2016. "Using hierarchical tree-based regression model to examine university student travel frequency and mode choice patterns in China," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 55-65.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:trapol:v:116:y:2022:i:c:p:48-57. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/30473/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.