What Drives Mobility Trends: Results from Case Studies in Paris, Santiago de Chile, Singapore and Vienna

Abstract

This paper discusses recent mobility trends in four cities: Paris, Santiago de Chile, Singapore and Vienna. It follows a case-study approach and relies on quantitative and qualitative analysis of selected trends, with specific focus on users. First, we set up a simplified model differentiating between social-emotional and rational motives to explain user behavior. The trends are then identified by travel-survey analysis, subsequently discussed with experts and finally described from a user perspective using in-depth and focus-group interviews. The study examines a range of modes from cars and bikes to public transport in a spatially and socially differentiated form. It shows that the identification of user motives is highly important to understand demand-side mobility trends, and discusses how this is relevant for policy.