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

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  • Abrahamse, Wokje
  • Keall, Michael

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Abrahamse, Wokje & Keall, Michael, 2012. "Effectiveness of a web-based intervention to encourage carpooling to work: A case study of Wellington, New Zealand," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 21(C), pages 45-51.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:trapol:v:21:y:2012:i:c:p:45-51
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tranpol.2012.01.005
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    Cited by:

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    2. Griffin, Greg Phillip, 2018. "Co-producing Mobility: Lessons from Ridesharing for a More Just and Sustainable Autonomous Future," SocArXiv xqmhr, Center for Open Science.
    3. Jun Guan Neoh & Maxwell Chipulu & Alasdair Marshall, 2017. "What encourages people to carpool? An evaluation of factors with meta-analysis," Transportation, Springer, vol. 44(2), pages 423-447, March.
    4. Wenyuan Zhou & Xuanrong Li & Zhenguo Shi & Bingjie Yang & Dongxu Chen, 2023. "Impact of Carpooling under Mobile Internet on Travel Mode Choices and Urban Traffic Volume: The Case of China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-15, April.
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    6. Julie Bulteau & Thierry Feuillet & Sophie Dantan, 2019. "Carpooling and carsharing for commuting in the Paris region: A comprehensive exploration of the individual and contextual correlates of their uses," Post-Print hal-02113257, HAL.
    7. Guzman, Luis A. & Arellana, Julian & Alvarez, Vilma, 2020. "Confronting congestion in urban areas: Developing Sustainable Mobility Plans for public and private organizations in Bogotá," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 321-335.
    8. María del Carmen Rey-Merchán & Antonio López-Arquillos & Manuela Pires Rosa, 2022. "Carpooling Systems for Commuting among Teachers: An Expert Panel Analysis of Their Barriers and Incentives," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-12, July.
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    14. Neoh, Jun Guan & Chipulu, Maxwell & Marshall, Alasdair & Tewkesbury, Adam, 2018. "How commuters’ motivations to drive relate to propensity to carpool: Evidence from the United Kingdom and the United States," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 128-148.
    15. Enste, Dominik & Potthoff, Jennifer, 2021. "Behavioral economics and climate protection: Better regulation and green nudges for more sustainability," IW-Analysen, Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft (IW) / German Economic Institute, volume 127, number 146.
    16. Gheorghiu, Alexandra & Delhomme, Patricia, 2018. "For which types of trips do French drivers carpool? Motivations underlying carpooling for different types of trips," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 460-475.
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