Understanding how transport choices are affected by the environment and health: Views expressed in a study on the use of carbon calculators

T.J. Chatterton* (Corresponding Author), A. Coulter, C. Musselwhite, G. Lyons, S. Clegg

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the influence that the provision of environmental information might be able to make on personal travel behaviour through analysis of the views of members of the public expressed in a study for the UK Department for Transport on attitudes towards carbon calculator tools. Study design: A three-stage qualitative survey taking an ideographic approach to analysing public attitudes to the use of carbon calculator tools in relation to making transport decisions. Methods: Interviews and discussion groups with stakeholders, non-users and users providing extensive data that were analysed using the British Market Research Bureau's matrix mapping methodology. Results: Despite considerable awareness of climate change as an issue, personal carbon emissions were not found to have much influence on personal transport choice, which could be seen as being dominated by issues of cost (both in time and money), comfort and convenience. Conclusions: The spatial and temporal dislocation of the cause and effects of climate change make it difficult to link the impacts of personal travel behaviour with specific activities. If environmental- and health-based information is to be provided as a lever to change travel behaviour, it may be necessary to provide information on issues such as local air pollution and personal health impacts in order to link wider benefits with a travel user's self-interest.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)e45-e49
Number of pages6
JournalPublic Health
Volume123
Issue number1
Early online date19 Dec 2008
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01 Jan 2009
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Carbon calculators
  • Transport choice
  • Travel behaviour

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