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Subjectivity matters: Investigating the relationship between perceived accessibility and travel behaviour

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  • Negm, Hisham
  • El-Geneidy, Ahmed

Abstract

Accessibility, the ease of reaching destinations, encompass local and regional metrics used to evaluate the performance of the land use and transport systems in a region. These measures are known to impact individuals’ travel behaviour, which led to their adoption in practice as performance indicators to evaluate transport projects and plans, monitor progress towards equity goals, and evaluate changes induced by various policies. However, calculated measures of accessibility do not account for individuals’ experiences and perceptions, which play a pivotal role in travel behaviour. This research examines the relationship between travel behaviour and perceived accessibility, while accounting for calculated accessibility, residential selection, travel identity, and individual characteristics. Using data from a large-scale bilingual online survey administered in Montreal, Canada in Fall 2023 (N = 5,277), we perform statistical analyses at both local and regional levels to model weekly mode shares for walking and public transit, respectively. Calculated accessibility is accounted for locally using Walk Score® and regionally using cumulative opportunities accessibility measures by public transit. Our findings reveal that perceived accessibility by walking and public transit positively impact the weekly walking and transit mode share, respectively, for all purposes. Accounting for calculated accessibility and travel identity is important to avoid overestimating the influence of perceived accessibility on travel behaviour. This research provides transport professionals a nuanced understanding of the link between accessibility (perceived and calculated) and travel behaviour, offering insights for promoting the use of sustainable travel modes.

Suggested Citation

  • Negm, Hisham & El-Geneidy, Ahmed, 2025. "Subjectivity matters: Investigating the relationship between perceived accessibility and travel behaviour," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:transa:v:193:y:2025:i:c:s0965856425000278
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tra.2025.104399
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