Residential self-selection, reverse causality and residential dissonance. A latent class transition model of interactions between the built environment, travel attitudes and travel behavior

Abstract

Travel-related attitudes and dissonance between attitudes and the characteristics of the residential built environment are believed to play an important role in the effectiveness of land use policies that aim to influence travel behaviour. To date, research on the nature and directions of causality of the links between these variables has been hindered by the lack of longitudinal approaches. This paper takes such an approach by exploring how people across different population groups adjust their residential environments and attitudes over time. Two latent class transition models are used to segment a population into consonant and dissonant classes to reveal differences in their adjustment process. Interactions between (1) the distance to railway stations and travel-mode-related attitudes and (2) the distance to shopping centres and the importance of satisfaction with these distances are modelled. The models reveal mixed patterns in consonant and dissonant classes at different distances from these destinations. These patterns remain relatively stable over time. People in more dissonant classes generally do not have a higher probability of switching to more consonant classes. People adjust their built environments as well as their attitudes over time and these processes differ between classes. Implications for policies are discussed.

Residential self-selection in the relationship between the built environment and travel behavior: A literature review and research agenda

“…Note that the debates on causalities and methods are related: the lack of understanding of causality is partly the result of a lack in longitudinal studies (Van de Coevering et al, 2018).…”

“…Especially, they can be influenced by the BE, referred to as "environmental determinism" by Ewing et al (2015) or "residential determination" by Lin et al (2017). This topic has recently gained more attention in the literature (e.g., Farinloye et al, 2019;Kroesen, 2019;Van de Coevering et al, 2018;Wang and Lin, 2019), but it is still not well understood.…”

“…Attitudes changes are relevant for causal structures: BE impacts on attitudes can explicitly be modeled. Latent class transition models (see Van de Coevering et al, 2018) can reveal groups of people that change attitudes over time. In other words, such models allow researchers to assess changes in attitudes based on unknown characteristics of the persons or households, and these attitude changes can next be included in models linking RSS, the BE and travel behavior.…”

Do changes in the residential location lead to changes in travel attitudes? A structural equation modeling approach

“…In this paper we focus on the (less-studied) direct and indirect effects of the built environment on attitudes (bold, grey line arrows). Some studies refer to these effects as the 'reverse causality' hypothesis (Kroesen 2019;van de Coevering et al 2016van de Coevering et al , 2018van Wee et al 2019). However, since we do not assume that the effects of the built environment and travel behavior on attitudes are a reaction of-or stronger than-the effects of travel attitudes on the built environment and travel behavior, we will not use this term in the current study.…”

How does neighborhood walkability affect obesity? The mediating role of commute mode

“…As some studies show, travel attitudes and preferences are significant for travel behavior (Hamidi, & Zhao, 2020;van de Coevering, Maat, & Van Wee, 2018). Individuals who prefer walking/biking were found to engage in non-motorized travel, by the contrary, those who prefer a private car have more share of motorized travel time (Lin, Wang, & Guan, 2017).…”