Examining the effect of life course events on modality type and the moderating influence of life stage

Abstract

Previous research has demonstrated the relevance of life events to explain changes in travel behavior. Less clear is the moderating role played by life stages on the relationship between life events and travel behavior. Our goal in this study is to explore how the influence of life events on travel behavior differs by life stage. We use data from a travel survey of faculty, staff and students at a US university. We define four life stages: millennials living in shared apartments or alone, millennials living with partners, parents (of any generation) living with their children, and non-millennial adults living without children. Four modality types were defined: active travelers, car users, transit users, and multimodal travelers. We use a Manifest Markov Model to estimate probabilities of switching modality types between two waves of the survey. Life stage does not significantly moderate effects of life events on change in travel behavior but does affect modality type: the prevalence of active travel modality types, particularly the share of women who are active travelers, decreases throughout the life stages. Millennials living with their partners and parents living with their children relocate to another town more often than those in other life stages, a life event associated with a higher probability of switching to car use only. Our results identify "windows of opportunity", such as residential relocation, that planners can use to promote sustainable travel behavior.

Effect of Major Life Events on Travel Behaviours: A Scoping Review

“…In contrast, relocating to Davis, California, which has an exceptionally high prevalence of cycling compared to the rest of the US, was associated with increased cycling [70]. This finding was confirmed in a subsequent quantitative study [104]. Some individuals moved to Davis specifically for the ability to cycle [70].…”

Mobility Styles and Car Ownership—Potentials for a Sustainable Urban Transport

“…Kuhnimhof et al [28] point out such differences as individuals experience an increase in mobility due to the formation of long-term configurations with regard to residential and work location as well as social networks and habits. Janke et al [15] also highlight the influence of life stages on travel behavior in their study. Especially, life events (e.g., retirement, having children) trigger changes in travel behavior.…”

“…In addition to activity-based segmentation, there are also approaches that focus only on mode choice. Their object is to study modality types [14,15] or the use of specific modes such as car use [16,17]. These approaches (activity and mode choice) focus mainly on indicators of everyday travel.…”

“…A common linear definition is given by Gilly and Enis [62], who define childhood, young adulthood, living with a partner, early career, marriage, parenthood and retirement as distinct life stage. More complex distinctions are non-linear approaches, which are less age-dependent and also include divorce and re-marriage [15]. In our study, we use a linear approach and define life stage groups depending on household structure, job situation and age.…”

From motorised to active travel: using GPS data to explore potential physical activity gains among adolescents

“…For example, evidence from the US found that obtaining a driver’s license at ages 16–18 years was associated with 40% decline in the number of walking trips [ 20 ]. Importantly, studies from the transportation field suggest that car users have the highest probability of ‘sticking’ to their travel mode compared to those who use multiple modes of travel (e.g., combination of walking and public transport) [ 21 , 22 ]. Therefore, it is important to promote active travel among adolescents before habitual car driving patterns are established.…”