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What shapes our transport choices

Trends and issues

Understanding the factors that influence people’s travel choices, such as cost, convenience, safety and environmental impact, helps guide more responsive, inclusive and sustainable transport design, policy and service planning.

DTMI is exploring the extent and causes of car dependence to better understand what prevents people from choosing other travel options. These insights support broader efforts to ease congestion, improve sustainability and encourage greater use of active and public transport.

Top factors that influenced survey respondents travel choices 1

Driving a car or travelling as a passenger was the primary mode of transport for survey respondents 2

The convenience of driving means cars are likely to remain an attractive option for many people in Perth, offering door-to-door access, flexible timing and a sense of reliability. This reflects global trends, where private vehicles continue to be the main way people travel. 3

By understanding why people keep choosing to drive, even when other options are available, we can better identify initiatives that support a shift toward more sustainable travel and a more efficient transport system. 

Survey participants’ use of transport modes other than car also highlights the importance of enabling a range of transport choices that allow everyone, not just car owners, to get where they need to go. 

1 Sample size n=1,1218. Survey respondents were asked to rank the top 4 factors that influenced their choice of travel mode. 

2 Sample size, n=1,1218.

3 McKinsey & Company (2023) The Future of Mobility, 19 April. Accessed at: https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/automotive-and-assembly/our-insights/the-future-of-mobility-global-implications .

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