A Critical Review of Social-Psychological Models of Modifiable Determinants of Travel Mode Choices

Abstract

Background Driving is a sedentary behaviour and car emissions a respiratory health issue. Consequently, promoting non-car travel mode choices has potential to enhance population health. Social cognition models, involving attitudes have been important to psychological research in personal travel. This review appraises transportation research and questions the adequacy of conceptualisations of “attitudeâ€. Method This study systematically and critically reviews current models, synthesising both, qualitative and quantitative research. A two-stage systematic search structured by the PICO framework was undertaken and accessed EBSCO, Web-of-Science and ScienceDirect. Finding A critical perspective on attitude constructs and their measurement integrated goal and control theory into understanding travel mode choice. We question the assumption that travel mode attitudes are stable across contexts and propose that they are shaped by goal priorities. Discussion Development of a more context-sensitive conceptualisation of travel-mode of modifiable determinants of transport-choice cognitions has implications for the design of interventions to reduce car use and the promotion of healthier travel.