Understanding the process of adaptation to car-use reduction goals

Using a more controlled experimental setting, the present study follows up two previous studies; a focus group study examining participants’ own proposed adaptations of car use to various travel demand management measures, as well as quantifications of the expected extent of adoption of certain adaptations, and a study of actual behavioural responses to the introduction of a toll ring. An internet survey requiring respondents to state the frequency with which they would adopt various adaptation alternatives when given a small, medium, or large car-use reduction goal was conducted. The frequency with which a particular adaptation is implemented was not only found to vary with size of reduction goal, as expected, but also with trip purpose. The results were interpreted in the light of a cost-minimisation principle of adaptation.