Factors Associated with Travel Behavior of Millennials and Older Adults: A Scoping Review

Abstract

This study aims to synthesize knowledge on the travel behavior of millennials and older adults based on literature from 2010 to 2018. The study looks into the different factors that contributed to shaping each generation’s travel behavior. Both qualitative and quantitative studies that fall within the selection criteria are reviewed, with a total of seventy-eight studies selected for review. Thirty-four papers focused on young adults/millennials, 35 included an older adult population, and 9 investigated both younger and older age groups. Six of the studies utilized qualitative methods, 68 applied quantitative methods, and 4 used mixed methods to explore the factors associated with travel behavior. Travel behaviors are explored in terms of mode choice, trip distance, trip frequency, use of alternative transport, ridesharing, and mobility tool ownership. Associated factors are categorized into five themes: personal attributes, geography and built environment, living arrangements and family life, technology adoption, and perceptions and attitudes towards travel options and environment. This study concludes that difference exists between generations in terms of travel behavior, and that the factors that influence each generation’s travel characteristics are either different or differ in their nature of influence (increase/decrease). Finally, based on the reviewed literature, this study proposes future research directions.

Testing Common Knowledge: Are Northern Europeans and Millennials More Concerned about the Environment?

“…Generational differences have long been a topic of social scientific research [56]. Several studies have focused on the effect that these differences can have in the workplace [57,58], in consumption behavior [59][60][61], travel behavior [62], and in political participation [63,64]. However, other than the work done by Kim, Chang, Lee, and Huh (2011) [65] and Beckendorff, Moscardo, and Murphy (2012) [66], very few studies have examined generational differences in regard to the environment, especially over the past five years.…”

Using a system of equations to assess the determinants of the walking behavior of older adults

“…However, older adults are often inactive and make fewer non‐discretionary trips (Kovacs et al., 2020). The reason is the gradual degradation of their physical functions, such as muscle atrophy, osteoporosis, and cognitive impairment, which makes their daily travel more limited and makes them more likely to experience social isolation and loneliness (Cao & Zhang, 2016; Jamal & Newbold, 2020). Hence, the mobility of older adults should be promoted to ensure better integration into social life, which improves their physical and mental health (Yang et al., 2020).…”

Travel Mode of Commuting in Context of Subjective Well-Being—Experience from Slovakia

“…Jamal and Newbold [61] looked, in their research study, into the different factors that contributed to shaping each generation's travel behavior and concluded that differences exist between generations in terms of travel behavior, and that the factors that influence each generation's travel characteristics are either different or differ in their nature of influence (increase/decrease).…”