University Commuters’ Travel Behavior and Route Switching Under Travel Information: Evidence from GPS and Self-Reported Data

In medium-sized cities, daily travel often follows routine patterns, which may lead to suboptimal route choices. This study examines such trips and evaluates them to assess the influence of travel information. The research is motivated by the growing importance of sustainable urban mobility and the need to address traffic congestion, environmental concerns, and inefficient transportation choices in the city of Volos, Greece. To achieve that, a survey of two phases was performed. First, self-reported and GPS data of an examined group of 96 participants from the University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece, were collected. The data were used to evaluate the daily trips in terms of travel time, cost, and environmental friendliness. Second, a stated preference survey was designed, targeting motorized vehicle users of the examined group. The survey investigated the extent to which shared information on social media can be used to recommend a different route than the usual one or convince them to shift to a sustainable way of transportation. The analysis shows that travelers are more inclined to accept the recommended route after receiving travel information; however, this effect does not translate into choosing a sustainable mode of transport. We also found that women are more likely to change routes than men.