Service-related traffic: An analysis of the influence of firms on travel behaviour

Abstract

Services are becoming more and more important in industrialized countries. Yet very little is known about the traffic initiated by the provision of these services. Particularly the role of firms in this context is an unexplored field of research. To know how firms influence the travel behaviour of their employees, is however crucial for public authorities and for development of political measures. The paper analyzes different types of travel behaviour and provides new perspectives on how firms affect this behaviour, focusing on the field of service-related traffic. Two different empirical data sets (from two German surveys) are used to reveal crucial predictors. These allow insight into the impact of firms on their employee’s travel characteristics and patterns.