TY - JOUR
T1 - Does perceived accessibility affect travel behavior or vice versa?
T2 - Alternative theories testing bidirectional effects and (in)consistency over time
AU - Mehdizadeh, Milad
AU - Kroesen, Maarten
PY - 2025
Y1 - 2025
N2 - In theory, the unidirectional relationship between perception and behavior has been well established. In this line, the relationship between perceived accessibility and travel behavior has also gained traction in the transport domain. There is, however, less knowledge regarding the dynamic of bidirectional effects between these two variables and (in)consistency over time. Employing the Netherlands Mobility Panel data, we investigate the direction of the (causal) effect between perceived accessibility and travel behavior/travel preference. Using a two-wave cross-lagged panel model, we test how this theory works among urban travelers (n = 4,946). The findings show that the relationship between perceived accessibility and travel-related decisions varies depending on the transport mode and whether it is about travel behavior or preference. The effects might show bidirectionality, unidirectionality, or neither. Findings highlight that the perception-behavior theory is primarily consistent with revealed travel behavior as opposed to stated preferences. We find a bidirectional perception-(travel) behavior relationship. Unlike conventional wisdom and commonly used theoretical links, we find that travel mode use has a larger impact on perceived mode-specific accessibility than the reverse effect (the more expected link). Travel behavior also shows consistently lower levels of perception-behavior dissonance than preferences do. The study finds that perception consistently influences public transport use and preferences, unlike for cars and bicycles. Policy-wise, this implies that efforts aimed at correcting misperceptions about the accessibility of public transport could still have a positive impact on individuals’ decisions to choose public transport.
AB - In theory, the unidirectional relationship between perception and behavior has been well established. In this line, the relationship between perceived accessibility and travel behavior has also gained traction in the transport domain. There is, however, less knowledge regarding the dynamic of bidirectional effects between these two variables and (in)consistency over time. Employing the Netherlands Mobility Panel data, we investigate the direction of the (causal) effect between perceived accessibility and travel behavior/travel preference. Using a two-wave cross-lagged panel model, we test how this theory works among urban travelers (n = 4,946). The findings show that the relationship between perceived accessibility and travel-related decisions varies depending on the transport mode and whether it is about travel behavior or preference. The effects might show bidirectionality, unidirectionality, or neither. Findings highlight that the perception-behavior theory is primarily consistent with revealed travel behavior as opposed to stated preferences. We find a bidirectional perception-(travel) behavior relationship. Unlike conventional wisdom and commonly used theoretical links, we find that travel mode use has a larger impact on perceived mode-specific accessibility than the reverse effect (the more expected link). Travel behavior also shows consistently lower levels of perception-behavior dissonance than preferences do. The study finds that perception consistently influences public transport use and preferences, unlike for cars and bicycles. Policy-wise, this implies that efforts aimed at correcting misperceptions about the accessibility of public transport could still have a positive impact on individuals’ decisions to choose public transport.
KW - Cross-lagged panel model
KW - Netherlands Mobility Panel
KW - Perception-behavior theory
KW - Sustainable transport
KW - Travel behavior
KW - Urban planning
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85208554424&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.tra.2024.104318
DO - 10.1016/j.tra.2024.104318
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85208554424
SN - 0965-8564
VL - 191
JO - Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice
JF - Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice
M1 - 104318
ER -