Socio-psychological dimensions related to transport choices
This doctoral thesis investigated the socio-psychological dimensions influencing urban transport choices, with a specific focus on sustainable mobility, including active and integrated modes. Through a multidisciplinary approach combining systematic literature review and experimental studies, the work explored how individual perceptions, social norms, and environmental characteristics interact to shape behavioral intentions. The research is developed across four main phases: 1. Literature Mapping: A scoping review was conducted to map the socio-psychological determinants of active mobility (walking and cycling). The findings highlighted a consistent trend where variables such as positive attitudes, perceived behavioral control, and habits serve as recurring predictors of transport intentions and behaviors. 2. Experimental Studies on Cycling: Using video-based scenarios, two studies analyzed the impact of urban design and traffic conditions. The results suggested a general tendency for dedicated infrastructure to correlate with lower perceived danger and higher usage intentions, while the influence of social norms appears to vary depending on the perceived safety of the context. 3. Environmental Appraisals of Walkability: A video-based experiment examined the effects of seasonal variables, specifically snow and lighting, on pedestrian perceptions. The study observes how environmental conditions and visibility can influence the appraisal of urban spaces and walking intentions, particularly in low-light settings. 4. Technology Acceptance in Integrated Mobility: The final phase applied the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to investigate the adoption of Mobility as a Service (MaaS) within a university population. The analysis indicated that perceived usefulness and ease of use were positively associated with the intention to adopt integrated mobility platforms, and the intention was positively associated with willingness to pay. Overall, the findings suggested that sustainable mobility behaviors emerged from layered and interdependent processes. The observed trends indicated that while physical infrastructure provided a necessary foundation, individual mobility choices were significantly shaped by subjective perceptions and social-contextual factors. These results provided a nuanced perspective for urban planning, highlighting the importance of integrating psychological insights into the design of more sustainable transport systems.
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