The influence of social-psychological factors on the intention to choose low-carbon travel modes in Tianjin, China

This paper explores the relationships between travelers' intentions to use low carbon travel modes, a set of socio-psychological variables, and the influence of government supported low carbon travel policies. Specifically, a Comprehensive Intention Determination Model (CIDM) is used to study residents' low-carbon travel intentions, based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and value-belief-norm theory (VBN), and using structural equations modeling (SEM) applied to survey responses by 811 residents of the city of Tianjin, China. Low-carbon transport policies are shown to influence traveler intentions primarily through attitude, subjective and personal norms, awareness of consequence, and ascription of responsibility; and that combining positive social-psychological factors towards low-carbon awareness with effective low carbon transport policies can influence the residents' willingness to choose low-carbon travel modes to a moderate degree.