A comparison of young and older adults’ attitudes and preferences towards different travel modes and residential characteristics: A study in Hamilton, Ontario

Abstract

Using Hamilton, Ontario as a case study, this study explores the difference between young (18–34 years) and older (65 + years) adults’ automobility behaviour (whether their most common mode of transportation was auto or not), by comparing their attitudes and preferences towards different travel modes. The study also investigates the differences in these two cohorts' attitudes and preferences towards residential characteristics since they can potentially impact travel behaviour. Exploratory analysis suggests that the difference between these two groups is marginal in terms of their attitudes towards driving. In general, young and older auto users both show similar attitudes towards different transportation modes. A similar trend has been seen for non‐auto users of young and older adults. The findings indicate young adults’ intention to shift towards an auto‐oriented culture, especially when they have a job. They also showed a preference for suburban living in the future. Older adults are mainly auto‐oriented; a small portion also seems pro‐transit. Transportation policies should consider these changing dynamics of travel behaviour among different generations. As attitudes and preferences influence travel behaviour to a greater extent, future studies should explore how attitudes and preferences can be modified to promote sustainable travel options.

The Effects of Objective and Perceived Neighborhood Amenities on Youths’ Wellbeing: The Case of the City of Al Ain, UAE

“…Additionally, the two respondents' age-groups, as defined for the study, did not exhibit significant difference in the way they relate to their neighborhoods' spatial qualities. If this evidence is valid, then it contrasts with research in other parts of the world where a distinction is made between youths and young adults, e.g., [53]. However, this finding needs to be qualified.…”

Developing a typology of daily travelers based on transportation attitudes: Application of latent class analysis using a survey of millennials and older adults in Hamilton, Ontario

“…More details of the survey, sampling strategy, sample representativeness, information collected, and correlations between different attitudinal statements and the demographic cohorts are available in studies by Jamal et al. (2022, 2023).…”

“…Studies identified two main reasons for that. First, the unavailability of attitudes, perceptions, and preference‐related data in traditional household travel surveys (Jamal et al., 2022; Kuppam et al., 1999; Ton et al., 2020). Second, difficulties in forecasting these variables compared to sociodemographic and trip attribute data, especially in terms of establishing a causal relationship between attitudinal variables and travel behavior (Kroesen & Chorus, 2018; Kroesen et al., 2017).…”

“…Information collected included travel characteristics, sociodemographic characteristics, living arrangements, lifestyle preferences, and attitudes toward transportation options. More details of the survey, sampling strategy, sample representativeness, information collected, and correlations between different attitudinal statements and the demographic cohorts are available in studies by Jamal et al (2022Jamal et al ( , 2023.…”