Daily Travel Mode Choice from an Intersectional Perspective : -A Literature Review and a Case Study in Uppsala

Abstract: The transport sector is an extensive contributor to the total CO2 emissions, and private transports hold a vast share. This has implications on environmental and human health, which eventually have economic consequences for society. Equal access to opportunities is essential in a sustainable society and public transport is a crucial element. Apart from public transport, physical active transport modes are key components in a sustainable transport system. The aim of this thesis was through an intersectional perspective to gain deeper understanding about travel mode choices and to identify barriers to use of public transport. This thesis comprises an extensive literature review of 62 articles, reviews and publications on travel behavior and travel mode choice undertaken in different parts of Sweden, Germany, UK, Portugal and the USA. A limited case study shares through nine qualitative interviews the travel experiences of four men and five women in different ages in Nåntuna/Vilan and Sävja in Uppsala, Sweden. The influencing factors were categorized and later intersectionally analyzed with the respect to gender, age and socioeconomic class. The analysis revealed that travel mode choices are complex and can be made for various reasons. Access to a car, habits, travel pattern and time indicated to be the most influencing factors. Economic resources seemed to influence the availability of transport mode, and indications could be seen that economic resources might impair gender differences. Looking at preferences and actual mode choice, the study sample illustrates that men, older, and richer, are having more opportunities to take their preferable mode choice. Planning factors appeared to both promote and constrain the use of public transport. Public transport seemed to have hard to meet everyone’s need, and indicated to have low competitiveness to the car. It is suggested that future research focuses on how to meet more people’s need in order to increase the use of public transport by its own attractiveness. Further research is also suggested about the health perspective of physical active modes and public transport. The study revealed difficulties in studying experiences outside the white, majority Swedish norm. More time would have been needed to include ethnicity, as it is an important aspect and should be included in future research.