Page 190 - Proceeding of Atrans Young Researcher's Forum 2019_Neat

“Transportation for A Better Life:
Smart Mobility for Now and Then”

23 August 2019, Bangkok, Thailand

defined based on the discussions in the previous 5. Conclusion/Discussion
sections. This manuscript aims to explore and
conceptualise how carpooling decisions are made in
the perspective of commuters. The proposed
framework was derived based on theories
underpinned in the psychological filed. With the
explanations from these theories, the proposed
framework can depict a holistic view of the
carpooling decisions. Different stages of carpooling
behaviour were proposed. Psychological triggers
that may motivate travelers/carpoolers to carpool or
to change their stages of carpooling were presented.
The strength of social ties is an important factor
affecting carpooling decisions. Having positive
attitudes towards carpooling, expected outcomes of
carpooling and intentions to carpool are the
minimum requirements for travellers to engage in
Fig. 3 A proposed framework depicting the carpooling. The intentions, goals and context cues
ecosystem of carpooling behaviour are critical requirements for carpoolers who are in
Note: D refers to drivers; R refers to riders; D-R the formation stage. The context cues and outcomes
refers to ones who agree to be either driver or rider generated from carpooling are important to
Source: the authors carpoolers in the maintain stage.
Although the framework was validated by
Hypotheses for investigating empirical academic experts, it was merely an initial step.
evidence were derived based on theories. Table 5 Empirical evidence is very needed for the validation
illustrates the hypotheses and reference sources of the proposed framework.
derived from the psychological field. The contribution of this manuscript is
threefold. As for its generic contribution, it increased
Table 5 Hypotheses and reference sources our understanding of decision making process in the
Hypotheses Ref. context of how one chooses a means choice of
H1: Early carpoolers show higher intention 22, 25, transport. Triggers that may induce individuals to
to participate in carpooling than others 27 make a decision on means of transport were
H2: Early carpoolers show higher level of 22, 25, presented. Future research may employ the proposed
goal pursue than others 27 framework and its triggers to conceptualise a
H3: Habitual carpoolers show higher level 22, 25, decision making regarding to behaviour change with
of habit automaticity than others 27 other context.
H4: Carpoolers and non-carpoolers with 17, 28 As for its specific contribution, the
interest show higher positive attitude manuscript proposed the carpooling cycle, carpooler
towards carpooling than discontinued segments and the potential psychological triggers
carpoolers and non-carpoolers without affecting decision makings. Levels of social ties
interest were proposed as an important attribute in the
H5: Carpoolers and non-carpoolers with 31
interest show higher intention to perform context of carpooling behaviour. Further research
carpooling than discontinued carpoolers and may employ the proposed framework as a guideline
non-carpoolers without interest to investigate factors affecting carpooling decisions.
H6: Carpoolers with stronger social ties 43 Proposing the right benefits of carpooling to the right
formed among each other show higher level target carpooler segments might increase the number
of happiness than carpoolers with weaker of carpool formation and maintain the number of
social ties as well as non-carpoolers carpoolers. Consequently, the increase in these
H7: Carpoolers with stronger social ties 22, 43 numbers might help reduce carbon emission and
among each other show higher positive traffic congestion.
attitude towards carpooling than carpoolers
with weaker social ties as well as non-
carpoolers
Source: the authors

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