IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v14y2022i18p11336-d911236.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Pathways to Alternative Transport Mode Choices among University Students and Staff—Commuting to the University of Maribor since 2010

Author

Listed:
  • Branka Trček

    (Faculty of Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering and Architecture, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia)

  • Beno Mesarec

    (Faculty of Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering and Architecture, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia)

Abstract

The study of commuting behavior at the University of Maribor (UM) was the subject of our research, which focused on the building complex of the four technical faculties (BCTF) and was based on the analysis of two questionnaire surveys (with 1057 and 462 respondents, respectively) and the transport policies implemented at the study site from 2010 to 2020. The research aimed to identify the factors influencing student and staff mode choice/shift over a decade period and to understand the weaknesses, strengths, and opportunities for improving sustainable mobility at the university. Since 2010, active commuting has predominated among students, while car use has decreased by 22%. Female students were 16% more likely to walk than their peers, while male students were 5% and 12% more likely to use bicycles and cars, respectively. Active commuting and car use by staff have not changed since 2010, and there was an insignificant difference between genders, 63% of whom used cars. Mode shifts were primarily related to trip origins, subsidization of bus use, availability or unavailability of free parking, and parking fees. Questionnaire responses were a powerful tool for finding the most effective interventions to manage transport at universities. The results also suggest that transport policies can be more effective if they are planned in coordination with housing policies.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:18:p:11336-:d:911236
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/18/11336/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/18/11336/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. 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.
    2. Delmelle, Eric M. & Delmelle, Elizabeth Cahill, 2012. "Exploring spatio-temporal commuting patterns in a university environment," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 21(C), pages 1-9.
    3. Duque, Ricardo B. & Gray, David & Harrison, Mariah & Davey, Elizabeth, 2014. "Invisible commuters: assessing a university’s eco-friendly transportation policies and commuting behaviours," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 122-136.
    4. Eriksson, Louise & Garvill, Jörgen & Nordlund, Annika M., 2008. "Acceptability of single and combined transport policy measures: The importance of environmental and policy specific beliefs," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 42(8), pages 1117-1128, October.
    5. Lavery, T.A. & Páez, A. & Kanaroglou, P.S., 2013. "Driving out of choices: An investigation of transport modality in a university sample," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 37-46.
    6. 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.
    7. Mojca Balant & Marjan Lep, 2020. "Comprehensive Traffic Calming as a Key Element of Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans—Impacts of a Neighbourhood Redesign in Ljutomer," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-20, October.
    8. Antonio Castillo-Paredes & Natalia Inostroza Jiménez & Maribel Parra-Saldías & Ximena Palma-Leal & José Luis Felipe & Itziar Págola Aldazabal & Ximena Díaz-Martínez & Fernando Rodríguez-Rodríguez, 2021. "Environmental and Psychosocial Barriers Affect the Active Commuting to University in Chilean Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-14, February.
    9. 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.
    10. 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.
    11. Collantes, Gustavo O. & Mokhtarian, Patricia L., 2007. "Subjective assessments of personal mobility: What makes the difference between a little and a lot?," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 14(3), pages 181-192, May.
    12. Balsas, Carlos J. L., 2003. "Sustainable transportation planning on college campuses," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 10(1), pages 35-49, January.
    13. Danijel Hojski & David Hazemali & Marjan Lep, 2022. "The Analysis of the Effects of a Fare Free Public Transport Travel Demand Based on E-Ticketing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-16, May.
    14. 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.
    15. Abolfazl Dehghanmongabadi & Şebnem Hoşkara, 2018. "Challenges of Promoting Sustainable Mobility on University Campuses: The Case of Eastern Mediterranean University," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-21, December.
    16. 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.
    17. 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.
    18. dell’Olio, Luigi & Cordera, Ruben & Ibeas, Angel & Barreda, Rosa & Alonso, Borja & Moura, Jose Luis, 2019. "A methodology based on parking policy to promote sustainable mobility in college campuses," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 148-156.
    19. Miralles-Guasch, Carme & Martínez Melo, Montserrat & Marquet Sarda, Oriol, 2014. "On user perception of private transport in Barcelona Metropolitan area: an experience in an academic suburban space," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 24-31.
    20. 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.
    21. Miralles-Guasch, Carme & Domene, Elena, 2010. "Sustainable transport challenges in a suburban university: The case of the Autonomous University of Barcelona," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 17(6), pages 454-463, November.
    22. Efstathios Bouhouras & Socrates Basbas & Georgios Mintsis & Christos Taxiltaris & Marios Miltiadou & Andreas Nikiforiadis & Maria Natalia Konstantinidou & Eleni Mavropoulou, 2022. "Level of Satisfaction among University Students Using Various Transport Modes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-14, March.
    23. Ximena Palma-Leal & Fernando Rodríguez-Rodríguez & Pablo Campos-Garzón & Antonio Castillo-Paredes & Palma Chillón, 2021. "New Self-Report Measures of Commuting Behaviors to University and Their Association with Sociodemographic Characteristics," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-14, November.
    24. Julia Janke & Calvin G. Thigpen & Susan Handy, 2021. "Examining the effect of life course events on modality type and the moderating influence of life stage," Transportation, Springer, vol. 48(2), pages 1089-1124, April.
    25. 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.
    26. Thamires Ferreira Schubert & Elisa Henning & Simone Becker Lopes, 2020. "Analysis of the Possibility of Transport Mode Switch: A Case Study for Joinville Students," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-20, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Ximena Palma-Leal & Palma Chillón & Víctor Segura-Jiménez & Alejandro Pérez-Bey & Alejandro Sánchez-Delgado & Daniel Camiletti-Moirón, 2022. "Commuting to University: Self-Reported and Device-Measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-12, November.
    2. Beno Mesarec & Branka Trček, 2024. "Suggestions and Solutions for Enhancing Active Commuting to the University of Maribor and Advancing CO 2 Emission Reduction," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-21, January.

    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. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. 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).
    4. 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.
    5. 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.
    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. Beno Mesarec & Branka Trček, 2024. "Suggestions and Solutions for Enhancing Active Commuting to the University of Maribor and Advancing CO 2 Emission Reduction," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-21, January.
    8. 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.
    9. Aleksandra Romanowska & Romanika Okraszewska & Kazimierz Jamroz, 2019. "A Study of Transport Behaviour of Academic Communities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(13), pages 1-18, June.
    10. 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.
    11. 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.
    12. 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.
    13. Mattia Cattaneo & Paolo Malighetti & Stefano Paleari & Renato Redondi, 2015. "Evolution of long distance students? mobility: the role of transport infrastructures in Italy," ERSA conference papers ersa15p1231, European Regional Science Association.
    14. Cattaneo, Mattia & Malighetti, Paolo & Paleari, Stefano & Redondi, Renato, 2016. "The role of the air transport service in interregional long-distance students’ mobility in Italy," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 66-82.
    15. Ximena Palma-Leal & Fernando Rodríguez-Rodríguez & Pablo Campos-Garzón & Antonio Castillo-Paredes & Palma Chillón, 2021. "New Self-Report Measures of Commuting Behaviors to University and Their Association with Sociodemographic Characteristics," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-14, November.
    16. Navid Nadimi & Aliakbar Zamzam & Todd Litman, 2023. "University Bus Services: Responding to Students’ Travel Demands?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-17, June.
    17. Mohammadzadeh, Mohsen, 2020. "Exploring tertiary students' travel mode choices in Auckland: Insights and policy implications," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    18. 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.
    19. Collins, Patricia A. & MacFarlane, Robert, 2018. "Evaluating the determinants of switching to public transit in an automobile-oriented mid-sized Canadian city: A longitudinal analysis," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 682-695.
    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:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:18:p:11336-:d:911236. 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: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    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.