Roberts, J., Popli, G. and Harris, R.J. (2014) Do environmental concerns affect commuting choices? Hybrid choice modelling with household survey data. Working Paper. The Sheffield Economic Research Paper Series (SERPS) 2014019 . Department of Economics, University of Sheffield ISSN 1749-8368
Abstract
In order to meet their ambitious climate change goals governments around the world will need to encourage behaviour change as well as technological progress; and in particular they need to weaken our attachment to the private car. A prerequisite to designing effective policy is a thorough understanding of the factors that drive behaviours and decisions. In an effort to better understand how the public’s environmental attitudes affect their behaviours we estimate a hybrid choice model (HCM) for commuting mode choice using a large household survey data set. HCMs combine traditional discrete choice models with a structural equation model to integrate latent variables, such as attitudes and other psychological constructs, into the choice process. To date HCMs have been estimated on small bespoke data sets, beset with problems of sample selection, focusing effects and limited generalizability. To overcome these problems we demonstrate the feasibility of using this valuable modelling approach with nationally representative data. Our estimates suggest that environmental attitudes and behaviours are separable constructs, and both have an important influence on commute mode choice. These psychological factors can be exploited by governments looking to add to their climate change policy toolbox in an effort to change travel behaviours.
Metadata
Item Type: | Monograph |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | The Sheffield Economic Research Paper Series (SERPS) offers a forum for the research output of the Department of Economics, University of Sheffield. Papers are reviewed for quality and presentation by two internal referees and a departmental editor. However, the contents and opinions expressed remain the responsibility of the author(s). Comments are welcomed and should be addressed to the individual author(s). |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Social Sciences (Sheffield) > Department of Economics (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 12 Nov 2014 11:22 |
Last Modified: | 12 Nov 2014 11:26 |
Published Version: | http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/economics/research/serp... |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Department of Economics, University of Sheffield |
Series Name: | The Sheffield Economic Research Paper Series (SERPS) 2014019 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:81615 |