The effect of smog pollution on transport mode choice: a case study of Xi’an, China

Abstract

This study makes use of an online survey from 363 residents living in Xi’an, China, to explore whether smog pollution has an influence on travel behaviour and whether people will take the environment, health, and safety into consideration to choose pro-environmental modes such as public transport, cycling and walking rather than personal vehicles during smog weather. A structural equation model (SEM) is built based on an extended Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) involving awareness of smog pollution, attitude towards travel mode, perceived behaviour control, subjective norms and an individual’s past experience. The results indicate that past experience has the most positive effect on an individual’s travel behaviour on smog days, while the attitude towards travel mode and perceived behaviour control are the important factors to encourage residents to change travel behaviour and choose environmentally friendly transport modes. In addition, almost all respondents are concerned about smog; many of them agree that using non-car modes is beneficial for smog reduction, and they are willing to select public transport or bicycle. However, some car owners have more difficulty in giving up cars unless public transport services are improved and the air quality is good.