01516800

Component

China is a rapidly urbanizing country with concurrent dramatic increases in auto ownership and use that present unique challenges to the form and function of its cities. Congestion, air pollution, public health and safety are all major concerns for policy makers, and solutions such as expanding public transit and restrictions on auto ownership and use have been tried in cities across the country. However, there is relatively little known about public attitudes toward non-automotive “green” transport. This research contributes to this aspect of he literature by using a unique survey of Chinese adults (n=3,887) to describe attitudes toward car ownership, use and green travel modes by income and other demographic variables. The data presented reflect that attitudes towards automobility and green transport in China are nuanced, but critically the results suggest that automobility has encroached on all aspects of travel. Respondents are skeptical of many policies that restrict auto usage but are overwhelmingly concerned that cars diminished the comfort and safety of walking or bicycling. The policy implications and opportunities from these results are discussed.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee ABE90 Transportation in the Developing Countries.

01503729

14-3911

English

18p

2014

Transportation Research Board 93rd Annual Meeting

Digital/other

References; Tables

Air pollution; Attitudes; Automobile ownership; Environmental impacts; Policy; Public health; Public transit; Safety; Traffic congestion; Urbanization

China

Environment; Highways; Policy; Public Transportation; I15: Environment

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2014 Paper #14-3911

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Jan 27 2014 3:21PM