C3: Analysis of User Behavior Adjustments for New Mobility Concepts

In addition to technological innovations, which are a necessary but not sufficient condition for achieving a sustainable transport system (efficiency strategy), user behavioral changes are another key pillar in making the transport sector more sustainable (sufficiency strategy). This is for two main reasons: Firstly, there is a risk that the reduction in the consumption of resources, which is an aim of technological innovations, is often at least partially eroded by behavioral adaptations of users. This phenomenon, also known as the rebound effect, describes how the efficiency gains achieved through reduced resource consumption are displaced by new and undesired behaviors (e.g. longer and more frequent journeys). As a result, the benefits of technology-based measures could be reduced considerably. Second, a bottom-up approach raises the question of whether the mobility-related needs of users are adequately addressed by technological innovations in transport. To put it simply, one can ask: Will future supply and demand match up? It should be noted that there are very different mobility needs and requirements as well as usage profiles which may also lead to conflicting goals. The aim of the proposed approach is to provide insights into what measures are effective for different user groups, and thus for the first time to enable tailor-made measures adapted to user needs. These findings are also incorporated into the overarching joint project of scenario development.

Doctoral Candidate: Andrea Hauslbauer

First (Main-) Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Tibor Petzoldt

Second Supervisor: N.N.