Behavioural effects of a tradable driving credit scheme: Results of an online stated adaptation experiment in the Netherlands

Abstract

There is increasing interest in the application of tradable credit schemes in the context of personal travel. To anticipate the short-term effects of a distance-based tradable driving credit (TDC) scheme, an innovative stated adaptation experiment has been conducted. Using an activity-based approach, Dutch participants who frequently commute by car could reschedule their car-based activities and alter the travel pattern they reported in an online travel diary for a full week. This paper presents the results of model estimations that describe the likelihood of changing car use and the number of kilometres driven in response to two TDC scenarios. Reductions were larger for those who experienced a loss under the measure compared to those who could expect a gain. Participants who worked more hours and who lived in non-urban areas showed lower car use reduction levels, whereas participants with middle incomes and who were 18–25 years old showed higher reduction levels. A car dependency measure was added to the models to assess how these effects are related to the availability of car use alternatives.