Determinants of travel mode access for adolescents in developing countries: a literature review

Abstract

Mobility and accessibility challenges faced by adolescents aged 12 to 18 are increasingly recognised. However, research from developing countries often overlooks this demographic group. This literature review advances research by identifying the determinants of accessibility to transportation modes and adaptive strategies for adolescents who lack travel options. Our synthesis highlights the significant roles at individual, family, community, and structural levels in accessing and utilising travel modes. It emphasises the important role of parents in determining adolescents’ access to travel modes, noting that a safe environment is a primary concern leading to parental supervision, often through private vehicles. Our review also reveals adaptive strategies among certain adolescents, such as girls walking in groups to socialise and avoid unsafe situations, older adolescents accessing travel modes that offer independence and affordability, and persuasive efforts by younger adolescents leading parents to permit unauthorised private vehicle use. To address these dynamic issues within developing countries, we outline strategies from the literature to ensure a safe environment involving multiple stakeholders while considering variations based on local contexts, such as ideologies related to specific modes. We also highlight the need for further research to better understand adolescent preferences in transportation access across different activities impacting subjective well-being.