A lack of accessibility can lead to social exclusion and lower quality of life. While research has shown that objective accessibility measures influence well-being, few studies have examined the role of perceived accessibility. In this study, we test the notion that activity participation might play a mediating role in the relationship between perceived accessibility and well-being. In addition, we hypothesize that perceived accessibility may also directly influence well-being, assuming that a sense of residing in an accessible place has intrinsic value to people. Using data from the 2022 Netherlands Mobility Panel (n = 4,222), we test these chain relationships: perceived accessibility-activity participation-life satisfaction. The results of the structural equation modeling show that higher perceived accessibility by cars and bicycles directly enhances life satisfaction, while perceived accessibility by walking influences life satisfaction only indirectly, through increased activity participation. Accessibility by public transport, however, has no direct/indirect significant effect on well-being.

In theory, the unidirectional relationship between perception and behavior has been well established. In this line, the relationship between perceived accessibility and travel behavior has also gained traction in the transport domain. There is, however, less knowledge regarding the dynamic of bidirectional effects between these two variables and (in)consistency over time. Employing the Netherlands Mobility Panel data, we investigate the direction of the (causal) effect between perceived accessibility and travel behavior/travel preference. Using a two-wave cross-lagged panel model, we test how this theory works among urban travelers (n = 4,946). The findings show that the relationship between perceived accessibility and travel-related decisions varies depending on the transport mode and whether it is about travel behavior or preference. The effects might show bidirectionality, unidirectionality, or neither. Findings highlight that the perception-behavior theory is primarily consistent with revealed travel behavior as opposed to stated preferences. We find a bidirectional perception-(travel) behavior relationship. Unlike conventional wisdom and commonly used theoretical links, we find that travel mode use has a larger impact on perceived mode-specific accessibility than the reverse effect (the more expected link). Travel behavior also shows consistently lower levels of perception-behavior dissonance than preferences do. The study finds that perception consistently influences public transport use and preferences, unlike for cars and bicycles. Policy-wise, this implies that efforts aimed at correcting misperceptions about the accessibility of public transport could still have a positive impact on individuals’ decisions to choose public transport.

As claimed by the aviation industry, sustainable aviation fuels offer significant environmental benefits, yet their impact on travel behavior remains underexplored. The current study investigates potential shifts in travel behavior in response to the introduction of zero-emission flights. A stated choice experiment using a sample from the UK general public evaluates preferences for flights, trains, and cars based on travel time, cost, and carbon emissions. Covariates, such as attitudes towards zero-emission flights, flight-shaming norms, and sociodemographic factors, are incorporated into a latent class choice model. Results reveal heterogeneity in zero-emission flight preferences, with subgroups showing high sensitivity to travel cost and distance. Overall, travel choices remain stable even with longer zero-emission flight durations, highlighting ticket price as a primary concern. A group with less sustainable choices, characterized by unfavorable attitudes and flight shame norms, leans towards cars if zero-emission flights are costly for short-haul journeys. Notably, this subgroup with limited preference for zero-emission flights, predominantly male and high-income, shifts strongly to zero-emission flights for long-haul journeys, displaying the lowest price sensitivity.