Transport & Society - Accessibility, Perceptions, Brands, Lifestyle

Here we have focussed on four key areas:

• Transport Brands
  We have an ongoing interest in Behavioural Economics and the Psychology of the Consumer. The importance of Brands within Transport became very clear through our pioneering work on Public Transport Information websites, and we ensure that we continue to monitor developments in this area. Brands are emerging as important factors within our work on PROCEED.
   
• Relationship between Travel and Lifestyles
  We have analysed this theme on several collaborative projects with Warman Consult. We see Car Clubs and the successful widespread availability of trusted Lift-Sharing schemes as two important elements in delivering a non-car-dependent lifestyle that is both viable and attractive. We keenly follow trends in the markets for various forms of On-Demand Transport and have a strong interest in the way that accessibility might be provided commercially.
  
  
• Barriers to Public Transport Use
  Various projects we have undertaken and studied have demonstrated that this is crucially linked to Perceptions (which clearly depend greatly on Delivery), Ease of use and the ability to understand the Public Transport 'system', Availability, Affordability and Information.
  
  The extensive programme of market research we were involved in for the Transport Direct project on how people make travel decisions revealed the importance of perceptions in influencing travellers' actions. The transport industry can have a tendency to focus on the views of users and in contrast ignore those of non-users. A conference that John Austin planned on 'Getting the Price Right' dealt with this theme, among others.
  
  
• Traveller User Needs