TRAVEL BEHAVIOR ASSESSMENT FOR IMPROVED URBAN MOBILITY

Rozalia Boitora, PhD, Rodica Cadara, PhD, Marco Petrellib, PhD

aTechnical University of Cluj-Napoca, bUniversity of Roma Tre

Introduction Results Conclusion

The human component has a very broad area
of implications in the transport system, since
the transport represents a basic population
need, a derived demand in fulfilling the need
for mobility. They are responsible for their
travel behavior, especially their travel choices,
while the local administration is mainly
responsible for the transport supply in terms
of network infrastructure, modes and
services. Changing individual travel behavior is
not an easy task especially in car dependent
areas. Reducing the private car usage could be
achieved only if the user would be provided
with an alternative mode of transport.
Study area
The study area lies in the North-West Region
of Romania and it includes the city of Cluj-
Napoca, and the commune of Floresti, both in
the Cluj-Napoca metropolitan area, whose
recent demographic changes are shown.
The travel behaviour analysis is based on the data The analysed data allowed the make some
collected from an online travel survey that was focused specific correlation and conclusions about the
on the Floresti to Cluj-Napoca commuters but only the travel behaviour in the western suburban area
travel behaviour and modal choice are presented of Cluj-Napoca: the modal preferences of a
1. the preferred transport mode is the car - 62% young population which mostly became
2. 35% use public transport while 48% never use it recently resident in the suburban area (82% of
therefore the use of public transport is largely respondents reside no longer than four years
affected by the cars availability in household and it in Floresti) and continue to work in Cluj-
is quite sensible to the user age Napoca creating a significant volume of
3. the commuting time suggests that public transport commuting traffic and unsustainable urban
users are in some way captive users due to the mobility - 62% travel by car; the car use
longer travel time declared, therefore the modal preference is enhancing the congestion on
choice is not influenced by preference but mainly the only road available - there is at least one
due to the lack of opportunity car in 88% of the households and they are
4. In case that the quality of public transport services generally used, since 48% of respondents
would be improved the population would be willing never use public transport for commuting; the
to substitute car for public transport journeys at current lifestyles in the study area are not an
different levels and 59% would walk 5 minutes to easy subject for change despite of the
bus stop whereas 38% would walk for 10 minutes presence of alternative available modes of
The traffic data collection by means of a WIM system transport the public transport services
1. gathered traffic data collected on the only transport should be improved because congestion is
(road) connection between the two localities affecting people in busses more that the ones
illustrated the changes in traffic over time in a point in cars.
2. it was observed that the traffic flow equilibrium is Although the present methodology seems
rather fragile, any bottleneck-type event would explanatory in nature, with the aid of both
cause major flow disturbances upstream, and traffic newer and cheaper opportunities to collect
volume is estimated to increase travel behavior data are at hand (WIM system,
3. improvements in the public transport system are online travel survey) important findings were
needed in order to make travel between the two reported as they were explored in order to
localities possible make an effective contribution to adding up
some information to the research and practice
Basic information on the sample in the case of explaining travel behavior in
Residency (years) 1-2 3-4 5-6 7+ Cluj-Napoca urban area. Carrying out further
in Floresti 32% 50% 11% 7% travel behavior studies focusing about needs
Age groups <18 18-26 26-40 40-60 in terms of transport supply and psychological
1% 11% 75% 13% factors should be considered in order to
Persons in 1 2 3 4+ achieve a different and more sustainable
household 10% 39% 32% 19% modal choice.
Cars in household 0 1 2 >2
12% 68% 19% 1% Improved public transport Neutral Partial Total
Car occupancy 1 2 >2 services would be used
(pers.) 28% 44% 28% to travel outside Floresti 10% 62% 28%
Commuting time <20 20-30 >30 to travel within Floresti 11% 42% 47%
(min.) 7% 15% 52%

Degree of satisfaction on public transport

(1 unsatisfied; 5 very satisfied)
Quality 2.3
Public transport network overall 1.8
Travel speed 2.7
Driveways condition 2.9
Stops condition 1.9
Safety and comfort 2.2
Safety and comfort of the service 2.5
Users information system 2.3
Purchasing passes and tickets 1.8
Service accessibility 2.3
Stops accessibility 2.5
Waiting times at stop 2.1