Public preferences for transport infrastructure improvements: An analysis of attitudinal drivers

Research has shown that public support for transport policy measures is one of the key factors affecting the successful implementation. But the heterogeneity in the population for broader policy objectives, namely the prioritisation of improvements across transport modes, had rarely been examined in detail. But understanding public preferences for transport policies is crucial for designing politically feasible pathways towards sustainable mobility. This study investigates how attitudes, socio-demographic/economic attributes, mobility behaviour, and built environment characteristics shape preferences for infrastructure improvements across modes. After administering an online stated ranking survey (N=2,011), we conducted an exploratory factor analysis to identify latent attitudinal dimensions and estimate a three-class latent class rank-ordered logit model. Results reveal five distinct attitudinal factors and three heterogeneous preference classes: environmental enthusiasts (18.82 %), car pragmatists (34.18 %) and moderates (47.00 %). Environmental attitudes emerge as a central cleavage that influences preferences for general infrastructure improvements across different modes. Furthermore, respondents’ own mobility patterns strongly shape preferences, highlighting a pronounced self-interest bias. We find that moderates, representing almost half the sample and exhibiting a balanced attitudinal profile, could be a receptive group for targeted interventions, where increased exposure to sustainable modes may further strengthen their support for related policies. These findings suggest that reframing investments in sustainable transport to emphasise accessibility and service quality may enhance public support for policies aligned with decarbonisation goals.