Changes to transport systems will inevitably alter aspects of human behaviour: For example, major infrastructure projects such as new roads or mass transit systems will change when, where and how people choose to travel, while modest alterations to junction or street layouts will affect how people move through the built environment; modifying for instance, their speed or sense of priority. It follows then, that decisions concerning new infrastructures, interventions or policies should be informed by sound evidence of the factors that influence travel behaviours.

Present by, Dr Ben Clark, Senior Lecturer in Transport Planning and Engineering at UWE Bristol’s Centre for Transport & Society

This seminar will synthesise findings from a series of related studies, conducted at UWE Bristol’s Centre for Transport & Society, that have sought to improve our understanding of the determinants of how people travel.  

 You will hear evidence of:

• The processes through which decisions concerning car ownership and commuting are made;
• How such choices are influenced by the built environment, attitudes and major life events like moving home or changing jobs; and
• How the daily commute affects different aspects of personal wellbeing, such as job satisfaction, stress and mental health.

The presentation will set-up a discussion of whether and how such evidence of behaviour is, could or should be used to inform transport engineering and planning practice.