Intention to use neighborhood mobility hubs

Abstract

Over the past decades, car ownership in the Netherlands has been on an increase. Besides being an environmental burden, passenger cars also require a lot of space. Mitigating the impact of passenger cars on climate change and public space requires a shift to a more sustainable view of transport, in which neighborhood mobility hubs might play a role. As a relatively new concept, mobility hubs are starting to gain attention in academia and practice. The first findings, however, showed that the adoption rate of mobility hubs might be low and no good image of the user can be formed yet. This research therefore aims to identify which user groups are likely to adopt mobility offered by neighborhood mobility hubs in the Netherlands. To do this, a conceptual model is based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) and subsequently, a survey was distributed in the Netherlands (N=298). After analyzing the data using an Exploratory Factor Analysis, a Latent Class Cluster Analysis was executed in order to find groups in the sample population with similar preferences and socio-economic profiles. By means of the latter, four distinctive groups of travelers are uncovered. Two clusters have intentions to use neighborhood mobility hubs: hub huggers (45%) and hub-ready impacting travelers (25%). The other two clusters, anti-new mobility individuals (22%) and traditional car owners (8%) are not yet ready to use neighborhood mobility hubs. There are some determinants that are likely to play a role in future mobility hub usage: people with prior experience with shared transport and households who do not own a car are more likely to use neighborhood mobility hubs in the future. People who currently use a sustainable travel mode (train or (e-)bike) to reach their work and/or study are more likely to be the adapters of neighborhood mobility hubs. This also holds for people who have a social and environmental responsibility, innovative mindset and clearly see the benefits of using a mobility hub and who are (most often) higher educated and younger of age.