Travel attitudes, the built environment and travel behavior relationships: Causal insights from social psychology theories

The importance of travel attitudes and residential choice in the relationship between the built environment and travel behavior has long been debated in transportation literature. In this paper, we explore the complexity of this relationship drawing on causal insights from social-psychology theories. The paper highlights: 1) the role of attitudes in travel behavior and in residential choice; 2) the dynamics of attitude formation and change and of habit formation, and 3) the formation and expression of residential preferences. First, interactive effects between travel attitudes and the built environment suggest that one's type or degree of response to BE changes depends on the strength of their travel attitudes. Conversely, the impact of attitudes on travel can vary depending on BE context. Second, the built environment can indirectly affect travel behavior by triggering attitude changes and by inducing routine behavior or habit. Third, residential preferences can be influenced by one's prior experiences and lifestyle choices, and by the supply, availability and composition of the built environment in the wider city/ region; the built environment can shape residential preferences, suggesting reverse causality. The paper presents a conceptual model that illustrates multiple causalities involved in the built environment and travel behavior relationship based on review of theories and empirical findings. Finally, the policy implications are discussed.

Automated summary

This paper explores the relationship between the built environment and travel behavior, focusing on the importance of travel attitudes and residential choice. The research finds that there are interactive effects between travel attitudes and the built environment, and the built environment can indirectly influence travel behavior by triggering attitude changes and inducing routine behavior or habits. Additionally, residential preferences can be influenced by personal experiences and lifestyle choices, as well as the supply, availability, and composition of the built environment.