Local preferences as beacons for efficient public transport supply

Do we think alike? Do we have the same needs? In order for public transport to generate social benefits in an optimal way, careful consideration is needed between what measures should be taken and what benefits and costs are associated with each measure. This requires, e.g., detailed knowledge of both existing and potential travelers' preferences. These have proven to differ; depending on demographic, socio-economic and geographical differences. This is taken into account, however to a limited extent, in today's traffic planning. We tend to use average values in planning, which may not be optimal for all sub-populations. The purpose of this project is therefore to: 1) describe the current state of knowledge regarding the evaluation of quality factors in public transport; 2-3) investigate context- and individual-dependent differences using both quantitative, psychometric methods, and discrete choice experiments; 4) synthesize and disseminate the results together with experts and users of customer surveys.

The project is implemented from three perspectives: a transport economic, a traffic-psychological and, a practical traffic-strategic perspective where the issue of context-dependent generalized costs serves as a guiding decision basis. The different perspectives are reflected by the project's participating researchers. Participants in the project are also representatives from at least two regions, active in the topic of the project. The project intends to constitute an important contribution to research on existing and potential travelers, and therefore collaborates with external research expertise.