Car stickiness: Heuristics and biases in travel choice

We conduct a laboratory experiment to investigate the factors determining travel mode choice. Two different scenarios are considered. In the first scenario, subjects have to decide whether to commute by car or by metro. Metro costs are fixed, while car costs are uncertain and determined by the joint effect of casual events and traffic congestion. In the second scenario, subjects have to decide whether to travel by car or by bus, whose costs are determined by a different combination of chance and traffic congestion. Subjects receive feedback information on the actual travel times of both modes. We find that individuals show a marked preference for cars, are inclined to confirm their first choice and exhibit travel mode stickiness. We conclude that travel mode choice is subject to cognitive heuristics and biases leading to robust deviations from rational behaviour.

► We conduct an experiment to investigate the factors determining travel mode choice.
► Individuals exhibit car stickiness and are inclined to confirm their first choices.
► Mode choice is subject to heuristics and biases leading to deviations from rational behaviour.
► Transport policies should aim at changing the cognitive perception of travel modes.