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USEmobility

EU Project USEmobility:

"Why do you take the train?"

Understanding Social behaviour for Eco-friendly multimodal mobility - that is the full title of the EU project USEmobility. By carrying out surveys in five European countries, the project aims to gain insights into what motivates people into switching to environmentally forms of transport. Using a novel approach, Europeans will not be asked what they think needs to happen in order to encourage them use public transport in favour of their cars. It will not conclude with unrealistic wish lists and well-meant statements of intent. Instead, people who have already switched to using buses and trains will be asked why they decided to switch - to find out exactly why they changed their transport behavioural patterns.

The survey will deliver hard facts about the reality on the ground, with the results being analysed for politicians and transport companies. It will show what kind of political framework is necessary to achieve the desired change towards eco-friendly behavioural patterns, and how transport services can be better adapted to what the customers want.

From monomodal car transport to multi-modal transport chains

The survey will examine three different groups of transport users: citizens who have lately changed their mode of transport, shifting from the monomodal car to a so-called multimodal transport chain in which several modes of are used, particularly public transport. The survey will also take in account people who have increased the share of public transport in their own individual mobility mix. Thirdly, citizens who have recently turned their backs on multi-modal transport chains will also be polled.

The focus of the survey will be in regional transport. This is because regional, medium-distance transport is the biggest factor in people's transport needs, and because regional transport offers the most possibilities for achieving a mix of transport modes. If multimodal transport chains are used, the railways generally form the backbone of the transport system.

The target groups for the EU project USEmobility are: citizens, political decision makers, passenger organisations and providers of transport services.

The USEmobility project will analyse the impact that different factors have when choosing the transport mode. 'Hard' factors like structural and technological factors will be assessed along with 'soft' factors such as perception, underlying attitudes, a transport mode's image etc. In addition, socio-economic and socio-demographic aspects, and environmental aspects will be included.

On the basis of the results of the survey, the project consortium will propose a series of measures that will facilitate a medium to long-term switch to multimodal transport behavioural patterns. In close cooperation with European passenger groups, USEmobility will develop future scenarios for environmentally friendly transport and hold discussions with politicians and transport companies. This will result in strategic recommendations for both the national target groups and the European Commission.

The Allianz pro Schiene (Pro-Rail Alliance) heads a consortium comprising 7 partners from 5 EU countries:

The USEmobility project commenced on January 1, 2011 and will run for 26 months. It is part of the European Commission's Seventh Framework Programme 'Transport'.